Silence Therapeutics PLC’s (LON:SLN) patent battle with US biotech Alnylam, which is focused on the technology at the heart of latter’s first commercial drug, took a new turn Wednesday.

The UK group said the European authorities are about to grant a patent further protecting its method of silencing genes by issuing what’s called a notice of intention.

Silence also said it had applied for an injunction in the Netherlands to prevent Alnylam's Onpattro treatment going on sale until a court is able to determine whether the US group has infringed a key patent.

READ: Drug at centre of Silence Therapeutics legal action added to UK Early Access to Medicines Scheme

It said it is also seeking “injunctive relief” in the UK and Portugal.

Chief executive David Horn Solomon said: "Silence continues to innovate with new, competitive RNAi medicines.

“During 2017 and 2018, the European Patent Office has upheld the validity of our expanding patent estate with the granting of additional patents around our foundational chemical modification IP.

“When companies openly promote new product commercialisation in the face of relevant granted patent rights, Silence Therapeutics will take steps to enforce its patents and protect the historic investment made in its technology."