second nz patent granted for norwood immunology

SECOND NEW ZEALAND PATENT GRANTED FOR NORWOOD IMMUNOLOGY

Key Points:
· Patent grants in New Zealand (patent number 525508)
· Granted claims cover key aspects of the Immunology technology

Norwood Abbey Ltd [ASX:NAL] (“Norwood”) announces that a further patent relating to its immunology
technology has been granted in New Zealand.
Norwood’s immunology technology is based on the use of FDA approved GnRH analogue drugs to
regenerate the thymus gland and enhance bone marrow function. This “re-boots” the body’s immune
system so it can produce new T cells, enabling patients to better respond to disease. GnRH analogue
drugs include Lupron Depot® marketed by TAP Pharmaceutical Products, Inc, Norwood’s US partner in
the Immunology project.

The New Zealand Patent Office has granted Patent Number 525508 – “Treatment of T cell disorders”
with 27 claims. The main claims relate to the use of compounds such as GnRH analogues with Bone
Marrow (BM) or Haemopoietic Stem Cell (HSC) transplants. HSC are found in bone marrow and
circulating in the blood of adults. These cells are precursors of the vital cells of the immune system,
including T cells, B cells and dendritic cells.

The use of GnRH analogues with BM or HSC transplant is an important aspect of Norwood’s immunology
program and has potential application in the treatment of cancer, infectious diseases, immune
dysfunctions (such as allergy and autoimmune disease), and transplant tolerance. In particular, the
granted patent includes claims directed towards enhancing the immune response to combat infections
such as AIDS-HIV by the use of genetically modifying T cells made resistant to HIV infection.
As recently announced, the US FDA has accepted TAP’s IND application for a clinical study of the
immunological effects of Lupron in patients undergoing autologous BM transplantation. This study follows
on from Norwood’s first clinical study in patients receiving a similar treatment; interim results of which
were announced in December 2003.

The New Zealand patent is the second patent granted in this patent family, following the recent grant in
South Africa. The patent derives from PCT Application number AU01/01291entitled “Treatment of T cell
disorders” with a filing date of 15 October 2001 and a priority date of 13 October 2000.

The patent has been granted to Norwood Immunology Ltd, a subsidiary of Norwood Abbey Ltd, and
further strengthens its intellectual property position in the immunology area.