Highlights:
- Corvus maintains a global patent portfolio centered on immune modulation, including adenosine signaling, T-cell pathways, CD73 antibodies, and ITK inhibitors, with biomarker-driven development at its core.
- U.S. patents granted in 2024 strengthen protection for Ciforadenant therapies and patient selection methods, while key programs continue to advance in clinical development.
- The portfolio spans drug compositions, formulations, and diagnostics, supported by a coordinated global legal strategy led by Mintz.
Corvus Pharmaceuticals, founded in 2014, develops targeted therapies designed to modulate the immune system. Its pipeline includes Soquelitinib, Ciforadenant, and Mupadolimab. These programs focus on T cell and natural killer cell pathways, adenosine signaling, and CD73 activity. Corvus emphasizes biomarker-driven development to evaluate safety, mechanism of action, and efficacy across immune diseases and cancer.
Corvus Pharmaceuticals: Patenting Activity
Since its launch in 2014, Corvus Pharmaceuticals pursued a global patent strategy rooted in immuno-oncology and immune modulation. Early on, the company licensed a class of adenosine receptor antagonist molecules from Vernalis including a small molecule, CPI-444.
In December 2014, Corvus licensed from The Scripps Research Institute a hybridoma-derived anti-CD73 antibody which became the basis for another lead candidate known as Mupadolimab. Mupadolimab remains in development with partner-led trials in China for relapsed non-small cell lung cancer.
Recent developments show how Corvus is translating its intellectual property foundation into clinical and strategic progress. In July 2024, USPTO granted a patent covering the use of Ciforadenant for cancer treatment. At the same time, the company is advancing clinical trials, and a Phase 1b/2 study of Ciforadenant with Ipilimumab and Nivolumab in first-line metastatic renal cell carcinoma was fully enrolled by mid-2025. The company is also advancing Soquelitinib and next generation ITK inhibitors with issued patents covering composition of matter and therapeutic uses in many global markets.
Corvus Pharmaceuticals: Top Technology Areas
Corvus Pharmaceuticals focuses most of its patents on developing new treatments and improving how medicines work in the body. The largest shares fall under A61P for specific therapeutic activity of drugs and A61K for medical or dental preparations. They also invest in C07K for peptides and C07D for heterocyclic compounds, both of which are common components in cancer and immune system therapies.
A smaller but important part of their patent portfolio looks at how to analyze materials in the lab, how to test enzymes and microorganisms, and how to improve basic chemistry methods. These efforts are reflected in G01N for chemical and physical analysis, C12Q for enzyme and microorganism testing, C12N for microorganisms or enzymes, Y02A for climate change adaptation, and C07B for organic chemistry methods. Together these areas support the company’s core drug development efforts by helping scientists understand how medicines behave and how they can be made more effective.
Corvus Pharmaceuticals: Featured Patents
Cancer cells can evade the immune system by exploiting adenosine, a natural molecule that normally protects healthy tissues from damage during inflammation. By maintaining high adenosine levels, tumors weaken cytotoxic T-cells, recruit regulatory T-cells that further suppress immune activity, and take advantage of immune checkpoint proteins such as PD-1 and PD-L1. This immunosuppressive environment allows tumors to grow unchecked and limits the effectiveness of standard immunotherapy. Measuring adenosine directly is challenging because it is rapidly broken down, making it difficult to identify which patients would benefit from therapies targeting this pathway.
A2A and PD-1 combination for cancer treatments
U.S. Patent No. 12,023,337 outlines therapeutic approaches that combine adenosine A2A receptor antagonists with PD-1 inhibitors, blocking the immunosuppressive effects of adenosine while restoring T-cell activity. These therapies can be delivered orally in defined pharmaceutical compositions and are applicable to a wide range of cancers, including lung, colon, breast, melanoma, and renal cancers.
The patent, titled “Methods of treating cancer”, was filed on December 17, 2020, and was published on July 2, 2024. The patent lists Stephen Willingham, Richard A. Miller, Po Y. Ho, Ian McCaffery, Andrew Hotson as inventors.
Identifying biomarkers for cancer detection
U.S. Patent No. 12,116,635 addresses patient selection by describing methods to detect specific gene or protein markers indicative of high adenosine activity in tumors. This enables clinicians to identify patients most likely to respond to combination therapy, supporting a personalized medicine approach and improving treatment outcomes.
The patent, titled “Methods for detecting and treating cancers having adenosine pathway activation”, was filed on December 12, 2019, and was published on October 15, 2024. The patent lists Stephen Willingham, Andrew Hotson, and Richard A. Miller as inventors.
A2A receptor antagonists for cancer therapy
U.S. Patent No. 11,266,649 focuses on drug formulation, presenting micronized A2A receptor antagonist compositions combined with specific excipients to enhance stability, absorption, and tolerability. These optimized formulations can be delivered as tablets, capsules, powders, granules, or beads, with controlled particle size and dissolution for reliable and effective drug release. Improved pharmacokinetics and flexible dosing make the therapy more practical for daily use and enhance its overall effectiveness.
The patent, titled “Pharmaceutical formulations”, was filed on February 1, 2019, and was published on March 8, 2022. The patent lists Jingrong Xu, William Jones, Felicia Flicker, and Bret Berner as inventors.
Legal representation for all the patents were provided by Mintz.
Corvus Pharmaceuticals: Top Law Firms
Corvus Pharmaceuticals works with several law firms to support its global patent efforts. Mintz serves as the company’s main partner and likely handles most of the key filings, showing a strong and established relationship. HGF and Smart and Biggar provide additional support in important regions such as Europe and Canada, helping Corvus secure protection for its small molecule drugs, antibody programs, and ITK inhibitors.
Pizzeys and Dr. Shlomo Cohen and Company also assist in their respective regions. Together these firms form a useful network that strengthens Corvus patent portfolio and supports its long term research and clinical goals.
