French pharmaceutical company AB Science announced Monday that it has secured a patent from the Chinese Patent Office for its lead compound masitinib in the treatment of COVID-19, extending intellectual property protection until April 2041. The company's shares rose approximately 7.5% in Paris trading following the announcement.
The newly issued patent specifically covers methods of treating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, adding another indication with long-term intellectual property protection to AB Science's portfolio.
Scientific Basis for the Patent
The patent is based partly on compelling preclinical data published in the prestigious journal Science, which identified masitinib as a broad antiviral agent effective against SARS-CoV-2. The research demonstrated in vivo activity in mice and maintained efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern in laboratory studies.
Dr. Olivier Hermine, President of AB Science's Scientific Committee and member of the Académie des Sciences in France, emphasized the significance of these findings: "This result confirms the anti-inflammatory activity of masitinib, by controlling activated macrophages and mast cells involved in COVID. In addition, several publications highlighted the capacity of masitinib to act as an indirect broad antiviral agent against COVID. With this result, masitinib can be considered a drug of choice to be evaluated in the context of a future pandemic."
Research Collaboration with University of Chicago
The patent development stems from AB Science's exclusive licensing agreement with the University of Chicago, established as part of a collaborative research agreement for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. This partnership involves masitinib and other proprietary drugs from AB Science's pipeline.
Under the terms of the agreement, AB Science will benefit from an exclusive, royalty-bearing license on any discoveries made with its products. This includes 1% of net sales on the first registered product and 0.3% of net sales on subsequent registered products to be paid to the University of Chicago.
Clinical Progress
AB Science recently reported positive results from its Phase 2 study evaluating masitinib in COVID-19 patients. These clinical findings support the compound's potential as both an anti-inflammatory agent and an antiviral treatment for COVID-19.
The dual mechanism of action positions masitinib uniquely in the COVID-19 treatment landscape. As a protein kinase inhibitor (PKI), masitinib targets specific proteins involved in cellular signaling pathways, potentially addressing both the viral replication and the inflammatory response associated with severe COVID-19.
Strategic Implications
This patent approval in China represents a significant milestone for AB Science, potentially opening access to one of the world's largest pharmaceutical markets. The extended protection until 2041 provides the company with a substantial window to develop and commercialize masitinib for COVID-19 treatment in China.
The development comes at a time when health authorities worldwide continue to seek effective treatments for COVID-19, particularly for variants that may emerge in the future. Masitinib's demonstrated efficacy against multiple variants of concern positions it as a potentially valuable addition to the therapeutic arsenal.
About Masitinib
Masitinib is AB Science's lead compound, already registered for veterinary medicine and under development in human medicine for various indications including oncology, neurological diseases, inflammatory diseases, and viral diseases. The drug's versatility stems from its mechanism as a protein kinase inhibitor, targeting key signaling pathways within cells.
The company continues to explore masitinib's potential across multiple therapeutic areas, with the COVID-19 indication representing an important expansion of its possible applications in infectious diseases.
