Conduit Pharmaceuticals Files Novel Cocrystal Patent for VTAMA, Extending Therapeutic Potential Beyond 2027

• Conduit Pharmaceuticals has filed groundbreaking patents for a dual active cocrystal formulation of tapinarof (VTAMA®), potentially addressing both inflammatory conditions and associated symptoms like pain and itch.
• The strategic patent filing comes as VTAMA approaches its 2027 exclusivity expiration, positioning Conduit for high-value licensing partnerships in the $233.6 billion anti-inflammatory therapeutics market.
• The novel cocrystal approach aims to improve patient tolerability, extend patent protection, and expand therapeutic applications beyond psoriasis and atopic dermatitis into other inflammatory and autoimmune conditions.

Conduit Pharmaceuticals has filed two groundbreaking patents for tapinarof (VTAMA®), including a dual active cocrystal formulation that pairs the FDA-approved psoriasis and atopic dermatitis treatment with a complementary drug substance. This strategic move comes as VTAMA approaches its 2027 exclusivity expiration, potentially extending the drug's commercial viability and therapeutic applications.

The innovative approach aims to address both the underlying inflammatory conditions and commonly overlooked symptoms such as pain and itch, which significantly impact patients' quality of life. By cocrystallizing tapinarof with a therapeutic agent specifically selected to address these unmet needs, Conduit has created an asset with potential clinical benefits and strong intellectual property protection.

"With this strategic addition to our portfolio, we are not just adding another asset, but adding what we believe to be a highly commercially valuable patent position for tapinarof," said Dr. Joanne Holland, Chief Scientific Officer of Conduit Pharmaceuticals. "Whilst the current formulation is focused purely on underlying disease, our tapinarof cocrystal aims to offer a multifaceted approach addressing patient symptoms as well as disease."

Market Timing and Strategic Positioning

The timing of this patent filing is particularly strategic as VTAMA has already demonstrated blockbuster potential through Organon's $1.2 billion acquisition from Dermavant Sciences. However, the drug faces potential generic competition upon exclusivity expiry in 2027, making Conduit's novel formulation a potentially valuable asset for pharmaceutical partners looking to maintain market position.

Tapinarof is currently entering clinical trials for cutaneous lupus and showing promise across multiple other inflammatory and autoimmune indications. The global market for anti-inflammatory therapies is projected to exceed $233.6 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate of approximately 9%. The dermatology treatment segment specifically is maintaining 6-8% growth through 2030.

Three-Pronged Market Advantage

Conduit believes its new intellectual property could enable formulations of tapinarof that address three key market needs:

1. Improved patient tolerability - By addressing both disease mechanisms and symptom management
2. Extended patent protection - Creating a new composition of matter before generic competition emerges
3. Expanded therapeutic applications - Leveraging tapinarof's mechanism of action across numerous inflammatory conditions

This approach aligns with Conduit's business model of identifying and enhancing clinically validated compounds with high commercial potential. The company previously demonstrated success with this strategy through its development of AZD1656 for autoimmune diseases.

Technical Innovation

The dual active cocrystal approach differentiates Conduit's intellectual property from existing formulation patents. Rather than simply reformulating the existing drug, the company has created a novel chemical entity by cocrystallizing tapinarof with another therapeutic agent.

This technical innovation could potentially offer enhanced efficacy while addressing known side effects that are typically overlooked by standard treatments focusing solely on the underlying disease. For patients suffering from inflammatory skin conditions, the management of symptoms like pain and itch represents a significant unmet need that Conduit's formulation aims to address.

Business Strategy and Future Outlook

Conduit Pharmaceuticals operates with an innovative business model that acquires and funds the development of Phase 2-ready assets, utilizing artificial intelligence and cybernetics to enhance the development process. The company seeks exits through third-party license deals following successful clinical trials rather than taking assets through regulatory approval.

With the filing of these patents, Conduit is now actively pursuing partnerships that can leverage this breakthrough intellectual property while continuing to advance its broader pipeline. The company's approach represents a departure from traditional pharmaceutical business models, focusing instead on creating value through strategic intellectual property development and partnerships.

As tapinarof continues to demonstrate potential across multiple inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, Conduit's novel cocrystal formulation could enable pharmaceutical partners to exploit its full market potential beyond its current dermatological applications.