IGC Pharma Receives Patent Allowance for THC Microdose Treatment Targeting Tourette's Syndrome and Speech Disorders
Key Insights
IGC Pharma (search) received a Notice of Allowance from the USPTO for patent application IGC510, covering a proprietary method using THC and CBD microdoses to treat stammering (search), stuttering (search), and Tourette's syndrome (search).
The therapeutic approach combines low doses of atypical antipsychotics with low doses of THC, targeting the endocannabinoid system (search) to improve treatment effectiveness while reducing side effects.
An estimated 75 million people globally are affected by stuttering (search), stammering (search), or Tourette syndrome, representing a significant unmet medical need.
IGC Pharma (search) announced it has received a Notice of Allowance from the United States Patent and Trademark Office for its patent application US 17/613,909, designated as IGC510. The patent covers a proprietary method for treating individuals suffering from stammering (search), stuttering (search), or Tourette's syndrome (search) using THC and/or CBD.
The Notice of Allowance represents a significant milestone in the patent process, indicating that the USPTO has approved the claims and the company must now submit formal documents and pay issue fees to complete the patent grant.
Novel Therapeutic Approach
IGC510 employs a unique therapeutic strategy that combines low doses of atypical antipsychotics with low doses of THC, specifically designed to target the endocannabinoid system (search). This approach aims to improve treatment effectiveness for Tourette's syndrome (search), stuttering (search), and stammering (search) while reducing the side effects typically associated with high-dose THC or antipsychotic treatments.
THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) are two primary cannabinoids of the cannabis plant, with THC being known for its psychoactive properties. By focusing on microdoses, the treatment is designed to provide therapeutic benefits while maintaining a safer profile.
Addressing Significant Unmet Need
Globally, an estimated 75 million people are affected by stuttering (search), stammering (search), or Tourette syndrome, representing a substantial patient population with limited treatment options. The development of IGC510 addresses this critical unmet medical need through an innovative cannabinoid-based approach.
"Securing this NOA adds to our growing IP portfolio, that includes patents for Alzheimer's, pain, eating disorders among others, many of which contain low doses of THC," said Ram Mukunda, Chief Executive Officer of IGC Pharma (search). "By focusing on microdoses, IGC510 has the potential to address a critical unmet need for patients suffering from stammering (search), stuttering (search), and Tourette's syndrome (search) with a safer therapeutic profile."
Clinical Development Plans
IGC Pharma (search) plans to advance the research to clinical formulations similar to IGC-AD1, the company's flagship medication that also contains low doses of THC and is currently in the CALMA Phase 2 clinical trials for agitation in Alzheimer's dementia.
The patent allowance strengthens IGC Pharma (search)'s intellectual property portfolio, which includes more than 30 active patent filings and 12 granted patents. The company's broader pipeline focuses on cannabinoid-based therapies for neurological and metabolic disorders, leveraging AI to accelerate drug discovery and optimize clinical trials.
Company Background
IGC Pharma (search) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company that integrates artificial intelligence to develop innovative treatments for Alzheimer's and metabolic disorders. Beyond IGC510, the company's pipeline includes TGR-63, which targets amyloid plaques (search), and early-stage programs focused on neurodegeneration, tau proteins (search), and metabolic dysfunctions.