Shares in Solvonis Therapeutics PLC (LSE:SVNS) rose 10% on Monday after the biopharmaceutical company secured key patent protection in the United States for a new class of compounds targeting mental health and addiction disorders.
The US Patent and Trademark Office issued a first-action allowance covering morpholine derivatives used in Solvonis’ AI-driven central nervous system (CNS) drug discovery programme.
This preliminary approval signals that a formal patent grant is imminent, potentially securing exclusivity through 2043.
The compounds were originally developed by Awakn Life Sciences, which Solvonis acquired, and now form part of its core chemical library.
Solvonis is focusing on disorders such as depression and stimulant use with a platform that integrates artificial intelligence and preclinical screening.
The latest patent strengthens its IP portfolio, bolstering the company's competitive position as it advances its pipeline.
The shares rose 0.017p to 0.19p.