NextCell Pharma AB announced the issuance of a US patent for its "MSC Prediction Algorithm" by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), marking a significant milestone in the company's intellectual property strategy for personalized cell therapy. The patent, granted on April 15, 2025, protects NextCell's innovative methodology for predicting the efficacy of mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) therapy in individual patients and determining personalized treatment approaches.
Algorithm Enables Personalized MSC Therapy
The patented algorithm represents a breakthrough in precision medicine for autoimmune diseases, offering a laboratory-based approach to assess MSC therapy effectiveness before clinical administration. The technology evaluates in vitro efficacy as a predictor of clinical outcomes for specific patients, particularly those with type 1 diabetes and other autoimmune conditions.
The patent encompasses methods for personalizing treatment plans based on laboratory result evaluations, potentially revolutionizing how MSC therapies are administered. This approach could significantly improve patient outcomes by identifying individuals most likely to benefit from treatment while avoiding unnecessary interventions for non-responders.
Strengthening Intellectual Property Portfolio
This latest patent addition reinforces NextCell's expanding intellectual property portfolio, which already includes granted protection for ProTrans, the company's flagship MSC-based drug product. The portfolio covers essential technologies for MSC-based therapy production and application in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
"As we move closer to commercialising ProTrans, our growing patent portfolio enhances our value and appeal to potential partners while protecting our proprietary technology," said Mathias Svahn, CEO of NextCell. "These patents underscore the uniqueness of our product, development processes and manufacturing methods – innovations that are key to entering global markets."
Comprehensive Patent Strategy
NextCell's intellectual property strategy centers on four key patent families with varying terms extending through 2042. The cornerstone "Allogeneic Composition" patent family, which underpins ProTrans, has secured protection in Europe, Japan, Hong Kong, and Australia, with applications pending in Canada, China, Korea, and the United States.
The MSC Prediction Algorithm patent, with terms extending from 2039 to 2042, is currently granted in the US with European applications pending. Additional patent families cover MSC applications for central nervous system disorders and COVID-19 treatments, demonstrating the company's broad therapeutic ambitions.
ProTrans Development Pipeline
ProTrans represents NextCell's advanced therapy targeting autoimmune diseases, built on the company's allogeneic MSC composition platform. The therapy addresses significant unmet medical needs in autoimmune conditions, where current treatment options often provide limited efficacy or carry substantial side effects.
The company's approach to MSC therapy development emphasizes standardized, scalable production methods that could enable broader patient access compared to autologous cell therapies. The prediction algorithm patent adds a crucial personalization component that could differentiate NextCell's approach in the competitive cell therapy landscape.
Market Positioning and Future Outlook
NextCell's intellectual property strategy positions the company for potential partnerships and licensing opportunities as the cell therapy market continues expanding. The combination of product composition patents, manufacturing process protection, and now predictive algorithm coverage creates multiple barriers to competition while establishing clear value propositions for potential collaborators.
The company remains committed to strengthening its IP portfolio to ensure long-term success of its pioneering therapies for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. This comprehensive protection strategy supports NextCell's leadership position in next-generation stromal cell-based treatments as it advances toward clinical and commercial milestones.
