Rockville, Maryland – 8th October, 2025 – Ascend Advanced Therapies (Ascend), a gene-to-GMP development partner, today announced that its European patent EP3722434, protecting EpyQ®, the company’s proprietary AAV plasmid technology, has been successfully defended in opposition proceedings before the European Patent Office (EPO).
This outcome confirms the novelty and robustness of Ascend’s pioneering approach to AAV plasmid design and production. Opposition proceedings at the EPO represent a rigorous challenge to patentability, and the decision to uphold the patent underscores the strength of the intellectual property behind EpyQ®.
“This is a landmark achievement for our company,” said Markus Hörer, Ascend’s Chief Scientific Officer. “By defending our EpyQ® patent, we have not only secured our innovation but also reinforced our position as a leader in AAV plasmid technology. This decision strengthens our ability to support partners in advancing gene therapy development with confidence in the IP landscape.”
The successful maintenance of this patent provides a strong foundation for the continued development and application of EpyQ® technology in the rapidly evolving field of gene therapy. Ascend’s team remains committed to delivering cutting-edge AAV plasmid and vector solutions that enable innovation and accelerate progress in genetic medicine.
