CONJUPRO BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC. v. Ascletis Pharma China Co Ltd

CONJUPRO BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC. has initiated a post-grant review (PGR) at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) against Ascletis Pharma China Co Ltd, challenging the validity of US patent 12234236. CONJUPRO BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC. is a biopharmaceutical company based in Princeton, NJ, focused on preclinical and clinical research and development for oncology, cardiology, and central nervous system (CNS) diseases, operating as a subsidiary of China-based CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Limited. Ascletis Pharma China Co Ltd, the patent owner, is a subsidiary of Ascletis Pharma Inc., a Hong Kong-listed biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Hangzhou, China, specializing in the discovery, development, and commercialization of small-molecule and peptide therapeutics for metabolic diseases, infectious diseases, and other specialty indications.

The patent at issue, U.S. Patent No. 12,234,236, is titled "GLP-1R agonist and therapeutic method thereof." This patent broadly describes compounds that act as agonists or modulators of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R), which are intended for the treatment and prevention of GLP-1R-mediated diseases and conditions, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Specifically, the patent discloses novel small molecule GLP-1R agonists, some of which maintain the core structure of orforglipron—an orally bioavailable, non-peptidic small-molecule GLP-1R agonist under development by Eli Lilly & Co.—but with modifications designed to provide improved properties. CONJUPRO is challenging claims 1-9, 12-17, and 21-25 of this patent, arguing they are unpatentable as obvious over prior art.

This case, PGR2025-00057, is currently pending before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board and has been instituted, meaning the PTAB has determined there is a reasonable likelihood that CONJUPRO BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC. will prevail with respect to at least one of the challenged claims. The choice of the PTAB as a venue for a post-grant review is significant in the pharmaceutical industry, as it allows for an administrative challenge to patent validity on a broader range of grounds than inter partes review, and often with a different evidentiary standard than district court litigation. The case is notable for its involvement in the highly competitive and rapidly evolving field of GLP-1R agonists, particularly the development of oral small-molecule therapies for metabolic diseases, an area seeing substantial investment and therapeutic advancements.

PTAB Post-Grant Review of U.S. Patent 12,234,236 Instituted

The Post-Grant Review (PGR) case, PGR2025-00057, initiated by CONJUPRO BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC. against Ascletis Pharma China Co Ltd, concerns the patentability of U.S. Patent No. 12,234,236, titled "GLP-1R agonist and therapeutic method thereof." The Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) has instituted review of the challenged claims.

Here's a chronological breakdown of the key legal developments:

PGR Filing & Institution:

• 2025-06-20: CONJUPRO BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC. filed a petition for Post-Grant Review of claims 1-9, 12-17, and 21-25 of U.S. Patent No. 12,234,236. The petition argued that at least one of the challenged claims is unpatentable as obvious over prior art, specifically discussing compounds that function as modulators of the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor.
• 2025-07-09: Ascletis Pharma China Co Ltd., the Patent Owner, filed its Mandatory Notices, indicating consent to electronic service.
• 2025-09-08: A Patent Owner Document Discovery Request was filed.
• 2025-10-08: The Patent Owner filed a Preliminary Response to the petition. In its response, Ascletis Pharma China Co Ltd. argued that the petitioner's challenge was a "calculated maneuver" following an unsuccessful attempt to license the patent, noting the petitioner's own development of oral GLP-1 agonists.
• 2025-11-20: A Director Discretionary Decision was made.
• 2025-12-01: The PTAB issued a decision instituting the Post-Grant Review. This institution was among the first IPRs and PGRs under the tenure of Director Squires. The case is currently in the "Trial Instituted" status.

Discovery & Pre-Trial Motions:

• 2026-01-29: The parties filed a Joint Stipulation to Modify Due Dates 1-3.
• 2026-03-05: The Patent Owner filed a Response.
• 2026-05-11: A Notice of Deposition of Dr. Michael C. Pirrung Ph.D. was filed.

There is no information available to indicate any parallel district court litigation specifically involving the infringement of U.S. Patent 12,234,236 that has been stayed or otherwise affected by this PGR. The current status of PGR2025-00057 is "Trial Instituted," and no final written decision or appeal has been rendered as of the current date.The user asked for legal developments and outcome for a patent infringement litigation. However, the provided case number PGR2025-00057 clearly indicates a Post-Grant Review (PGR) at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), not a district court patent infringement litigation. Therefore, I will provide the key legal developments and current posture for this PTAB PGR case.

PTAB Post-Grant Review of U.S. Patent 12,234,236 Instituted

The Post-Grant Review (PGR) case, PGR2025-00057, initiated by CONJUPRO BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC. against Ascletis Pharma China Co Ltd, concerns the patentability of U.S. Patent No. 12,234,236, titled "GLP-1R agonist and therapeutic method thereof." The Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) has instituted review of the challenged claims. The patent owner is Ascletis Pharma China Co Ltd, and the petitioner is CONJUPRO BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.

Here's a chronological breakdown of the key legal developments:

• 2025-06-20: CONJUPRO BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC. filed a petition for Post-Grant Review of claims 1-9, 12-17, and 21-25 of U.S. Patent No. 12,234,236. The petition argued that it is more likely than not that at least one of the challenged claims is unpatentable as being obvious over prior art. The challenged claims are directed to a class of compounds that function as modulators of the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor.
• 2025-07-09: Ascletis Pharma China Co Ltd., the Patent Owner, filed its Mandatory Notices and consented to electronic service.
• 2025-09-08: A Patent Owner Document Discovery Request was filed.
• 2025-10-08: The Patent Owner filed a Preliminary Response to the petition. Ascletis Pharma China Co Ltd. contended that the PGR was a "calculated maneuver" following an unsuccessful attempt by Conjupro Biotherapeutics to obtain a license for the patent, especially given Conjupro's active development of oral GLP-1 agonists.
• 2025-11-20: A Director Discretionary Decision was made.
• 2025-12-01: The PTAB issued a decision instituting the Post-Grant Review. This institution decision was among the first IPRs and PGRs issued under the tenure of Director Squires. The case's status became "Trial Instituted."
• 2026-01-29: The parties filed a Joint Stipulation to Modify Due Dates 1-3.
• 2026-03-05: The Patent Owner filed a Response.
• 2026-05-11: A Notice of Deposition of Dr. Michael C. Pirrung Ph.D. was filed. Dr. Pirrung is mentioned in the initial petition as having provided a declaration in support of the unpatentability arguments.

Current Posture: The PGR case PGR2025-00057 is currently active and in the trial phase following the institution decision. No final written decision regarding the patentability of U.S. Patent No. 12,234,236 has been issued yet. There is no information available in the search results about parallel district court patent infringement litigation specifically involving U.S. Patent No. 12,234,236.

CONJUPRO BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC. is represented by attorneys from Fox Rothschild LLP in this PGR proceeding.

Here is the identified counsel of record for CONJUPRO BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.:

• Jin Zhu, Ph.D. (Lead Counsel)
  • Firm: Fox Rothschild LLP, Princeton, NJ office.
  • Note: Dr. Zhu holds a Ph.D. and is registered with the USPTO (Reg. No. 62,869), indicating a focus on patent law, likely in the chemical or biotechnological fields.
• Joe G. Chen, Ph.D. (Counsel)
  • Firm: Fox Rothschild LLP, Princeton, NJ office.
  • Note: Dr. Chen also holds a Ph.D. and is registered with the USPTO (Reg. No. 70,066), suggesting expertise in technical areas relevant to patent prosecution and litigation, such as biotechnology or pharmaceuticals.
• Luke Toft (Counsel)
  • Firm: Fox Rothschild LLP, Minneapolis, MN office.
  • Note: Mr. Toft is registered with the USPTO (Reg. No. 75,311).

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The user is asking for the counsel of record representing the defendant(s) (Ascletis Pharma China Co Ltd) in the PTAB case PGR2025-00057. I need to find the names, roles, firms, office locations, and relevant experience for each attorney. I should use web search and look for docket entries, firm websites, and legal news sources.Ascletis Pharma China Co Ltd, the Patent Owner in PGR2025-00057, is represented by counsel from Cooley LLP.

The counsel of record for Ascletis Pharma China Co Ltd are:

• W. Chad Shear

  • Role: Lead Counsel
  • Firm: Cooley LLP, Washington, D.C. office
  • Experience Note: W. Chad Shear is a registered patent attorney. His email is cshear@cooley.com.

• Geoffrey D. Biegler

  • Role: Backup Counsel (pro hac vice application to be filed)
  • Firm: Cooley LLP, Washington, D.C. office
  • Experience Note: Geoffrey D. Biegler's email is gbiegler@cooley.com.