Biopharmaceutical company ImmuPharma PLC (LSE: IMM) announced on Monday that it has filed a new patent application covering its lead asset P140, described as the world's first 'Immunormalizer'. The filing, which provides up to 20 years of commercial exclusivity, discloses both a novel diagnostic test and a targeted treatment approach for patients with a newly identified Type M immune disorder.

The diagnostic enables rapid identification of "super-responders" to P140, which has shown potential to normalise immune function rather than suppress it. This mechanism offers a safer alternative to conventional immunosuppressants, avoiding risks such as infection and cancer, and supporting the possibility of full remission across up to 50 autoimmune diseases.

ImmuPharma said the test could accelerate diagnosis, improve patient selection and enhance clinical trial outcomes by reducing placebo effects and enabling earlier efficacy detection. This is expected to shorten development timelines and increase the probability of regulatory approval.

Autoimmune diseases affect over 400 million people globally, with a therapeutic market worth more than USD100bn annually and diagnostics valued above USD10bn. Management said the dual platform of P140 therapy and precision diagnostics positions the company to address significant unmet needs in both markets.

Research underpinning the filing was led by ImmuPharma Biotech, where teams have been expanding P140's scope beyond systemic lupus erythematosus to a wider spectrum of autoimmune disorders. The company described P140's mechanism as disease-modifying, with potential to deliver durable remission.