MediciNova Receives Notice of Allowance for New Patent Covering MN-166 (ibudilast) for the Prevention of Metastasis of Various Solid Cancer
MediciNova has received a Notice of Allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a patent application covering MN-166 (ibudilast) for preventing metastasis in cancers like pancreatic, lung, breast, colorectal, melanoma, and ovarian cancers.
The patent, expected to expire by July 2042, includes claims for using MN-166 in combination with therapies such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
It covers various administration methods, doses, and treatment durations, enhancing the intellectual property and value of MN-166.
Dr. Kazuko Matsuda, Chief Medical Officer, emphasized the significance of this patent in addressing metastasis, a major cause of cancer-related deaths.
- Notice of Allowance for a new patent covering MN-166 (ibudilast) for preventing metastasis in various cancers.
- Patent expected to expire no earlier than July 2042, ensuring long-term protection.
- Claims cover combination with multiple therapies including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and more.
- Includes a wide range of administration methods, doses, and treatment periods.
- Strengthens MediciNova's intellectual property portfolio.
- Potential to address a major cause of cancer-related deaths.
- Patent grant only a Notice of Allowance; not yet fully issued.
- Clinical effectiveness and market acceptance of MN-166 in preventing metastasis still unproven.
- Long timeline until patent expiration, with uncertain near-term benefits.
- Possible high development and commercialization costs.
Insights
The Notice of Allowance for the new patent on MN-166 (ibudilast) is a significant development for MediciNova. This patent covers the use of MN-166 in preventing metastasis in various types of cancers, including high-impact cancers like pancreatic, lung and breast cancer. Metastasis is responsible for the majority of cancer-related deaths, positioning MN-166 as a potentially valuable asset in the oncology market. The patent's broad applicability across multiple cancer types and in combination with various treatments, including chemotherapy and immunotherapy, enhances its clinical utility.
This development could attract interest from larger pharmaceutical companies seeking partnerships or acquisitions, given MN-166's potential to enhance the effectiveness of existing cancer therapies. Additionally, the patent's expected longevity until at least July 2042 provides a long runway for commercialization, which could significantly bolster MediciNova's market position and revenue potential in the coming decades.
The extension of the patent for MN-166 (ibudilast) is likely to have a positive impact on MediciNova's stock performance. Intellectual property assets are critical in the biotech industry and this patent strengthens MediciNova's portfolio, potentially increasing its valuation. The wide range of covered claims allows for flexibility in clinical applications, making the drug a versatile candidate for various combination therapies, which could translate to diverse revenue streams.
From a financial perspective, the added patent protection can also reduce risks associated with market competition and generic entry, ensuring longer-term revenue stability. Investors may view this development favorably, anticipating future revenue growth and market expansion due to the extended protection and potential broader use of MN-166.
LA JOLLA, Calif., June 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MediciNova, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company traded on the NASDAQ Global Market (NASDAQ:MNOV) and the Standard Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (Code Number: 4875), today announced that it has received a Notice of Allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a pending patent application which covers MN-166 (ibudilast) for the prevention of metastasis in various cancers including pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, melanoma, and ovarian cancer.
Once issued, this patent is expected to expire no earlier than July 2042. The allowed claims cover the use of MN-166 (ibudilast) in combination with one or more additional therapies including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy, photodynamic therapy, epigenetic therapy, and liver-directed therapy and others. The allowed claims specifically cover the use of MN-166 (ibudilast) for preventing, ameliorating, or minimizing metastasis of various cancers including pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, melanoma, or ovarian cancer. The allowed claims cover oral administration, a wide range of doses, a range of different dosing frequencies, and a range of different treatment periods.
Kazuko Matsuda, MD, PhD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer of MediciNova, Inc., commented, “Cancer metastasis is often the major driver of cancer-related deaths rather than the primary cancer. Recently we were granted a patent *1 to cover preventing metastasis of uveal melanoma. We are delighted to see our growing intellectual property patent portfolio and value of MN-166 (ibudilast) increase with the addition of patents covering the prevention of metastasis of various solid tumors."
*1: MediciNova Receives Notice of Allowance for New Patent Covering MN-166 (ibudilast) for the Prevention of Metastasis of Eye Cancer
https://investors.medicinova.com/news-releases/news-release-details/medicinova-receives-notice-allowance-new-patent-covering-mn-30
About MN-166 (ibudilast)
MN-166 (ibudilast) is a small molecule compound that inhibits phosphodiesterase type-4 (PDE4) and inflammatory cytokines, including macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF). It is in late-stage clinical development for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), progressive MS (multiple sclerosis), and DCM (degenerative cervical myelopathy); and is also in development for glioblastoma, Long COVID, CIPN (chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy), and substance use disorder. In addition, MN-166 (ibudilast) was evaluated in patients that are at risk for developing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
About MediciNova
MediciNova, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a broad late-stage pipeline of novel small molecule therapies for inflammatory, fibrotic, and neurodegenerative diseases. Based on two compounds, MN-166 (ibudilast) and MN-001 (tipelukast), with multiple mechanisms of action and strong safety profiles, MediciNova has 11 programs in clinical development. MediciNova’s lead asset, MN-166 (ibudilast), is currently in Phase 3 for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) and is Phase 3-ready for progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). MN-166 (ibudilast) is also being evaluated in Phase 2 trials in Long COVID and substance dependence. MN-001 (tipelukast) was evaluated in a Phase 2 trial in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and a second Phase 2 trial in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is ongoing. MediciNova has a strong track record of securing investigator-sponsored clinical trials funded through government grants.
Statements in this press release that are not historical in nature constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the future development and efficacy of MN-166, MN-001, MN-221, and MN-029. These forward-looking statements may be preceded by, followed by, or otherwise include the words "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "can," "could," "may," "will," "would," “considering,” “planning” or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, risks of obtaining future partner or grant funding for development of MN-166, MN-001, MN-221, and MN-029 and risks of raising sufficient capital when needed to fund MediciNova's operations and contribution to clinical development, risks and uncertainties inherent in clinical trials, including the potential cost, expected timing and risks associated with clinical trials designed to meet FDA guidance and the viability of further development considering these factors, product development and commercialization risks, the uncertainty of whether the results of clinical trials will be predictive of results in later stages of product development, the risk of delays or failure to obtain or maintain regulatory approval, risks associated with the reliance on third parties to sponsor and fund clinical trials, risks regarding intellectual property rights in product candidates and the ability to defend and enforce such intellectual property rights, the risk of failure of the third parties upon whom MediciNova relies to conduct its clinical trials and manufacture its product candidates to perform as expected, the risk of increased cost and delays due to delays in the commencement, enrollment, completion or analysis of clinical trials or significant issues regarding the adequacy of clinical trial designs or the execution of clinical trials, and the timing of expected filings with the regulatory authorities, MediciNova's collaborations with third parties, the availability of funds to complete product development plans and MediciNova's ability to obtain third party funding for programs and raise sufficient capital when needed, and the other risks and uncertainties described in MediciNova's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and its subsequent periodic reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. MediciNova disclaims any intent or obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements.
INVESTOR CONTACT:
David H. Crean, Ph.D.
Chief Business Officer
MediciNova, Inc
info@medicinova.com
FAQ
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