EPO upholds decision regarding Sprycel

Patent found to be invalid.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMS) has announced that the European Patent Office (EPO) upheld a decision with regard to European Patent No. 1169038 (the '038 patent), the Composition of Matter patent covering dasatinib, the active ingredient in Sprycel. The EPO upheld a decision that found the patent to be invalid.

This decision does not impact the company's patents outside of the EU or other Sprycel-related patents.

BMS has a long-standing heritage in oncology. Sprycel will continue to be a significant asset in BMS's broad oncology portfolio and an important treatment option for patients living with chronic myeloid leukemia.

Sprycel (dasatinib) is indicated for the treatment of adults with

• Newly diagnosed adults with Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in chronic phase.
• Chronic, accelerated, or myeloid or lymphoid blast phase Ph+ CML with resistance or intolerance to prior therapy including imatinib.
• Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL) with resistance or intolerance to prior therapy.