Patent expands coverage of therapeutic that addresses range of neurological conditions

A clinical-stage biopharma firm announced it has been granted a U.S. patent expanding coverage of a novel oral therapy to treat various conditions associated with loss-of-function mutations of the gene encoding methyl-CpG binding protein.

According to a press release from Anavex Life Sciences Corp., the patent claims protect use of Anavex2-73 (blarcamesine) for symptoms exhibited by patients with neurodevelopmental and neurological conditions related to McCP2, such as abnormalities in sleep, breathing, cardiac function, feeding, choking, lack of weight gain, seizures and abnormal amount of gadolinium-enhancing lesions.

Symptoms of these conditions are most often indicative of Rett syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, Angelman syndrome, Williams syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, Smith-Magenis syndrome, non-syndromic mental retardation, idiopathic neonatal encephalopathy and idiopathic cerebral palsy, per the release.

“This new patent on use of ANAVEX2-73 (blarcamesine) in ameliorating difficult symptoms associated with loss-of-function gene mutations of MeCP2 will be important for Anavex, further reinforcing our already strong position providing novel and effective therapies for debilitating neurodevelopmental and neurological diseases,” Anavex President and CEO Christopher U. Missling, PhD, said in the release. “The grant of this new patent to Anavex further demonstrates our strong overall commitment to protecting the innovation and commercial opportunity of our product portfolio.”

According to Anavex, the patent is expected to last until January 2037, pending any further term extension.