AIM ImmunoTech Inc (NYSE:AIM) revealed that the Netherlands Patent Office (Octrooicentrum Nederland) has issued Patent No 2027383 - a utility patent - covering Ampligen (rintatolimod) and other dsRNA products developed by the company for use in the prevention, or treatment of coronavirus (COVID-19), with a base patent term extending until 2041.
The Ocala, Florida-based immuno-pharma company’s RNA product candidate is being developed for globally important cancers, viral diseases and disorders of the immune system. Ampligen is designed to modulate the immune system and has demonstrated anti-viral activity.
In a statement, AIM ImmunoTech CEO Thomas K. Equels said: "This new utility patent in the Netherlands is directed at a composition comprising a therapeutic double-stranded RNA product being developed by AIM for use in treating or preventing a SARS-CoV-2 virus infection, including COVID-19, an infectious disease caused by a SARS-CoV-2 virus infection.”
READ: AIM ImmunoTech to file Investigational New Drug application for Ampligen to treat long COVID
He added: “In one embodiment, the therapeutic double-stranded RNA product may comprise Ampligen. In another patent embodiment, the therapeutic double-stranded RNA product may be one or more of a number of therapeutic double-stranded RNA (tdsRNA) developed by AIM. An example of such tdsRNA includes the rugged double-stranded RNA which is patented via composition of matter patent by AIM in the US and worldwide.”
Equels noted that data from in vitro, pre-clinical and clinical experiments strongly suggest that "Ampligen has a broad-spectrum early onset anti-viral effect by stimulating a powerful innate immune response."
“This new utility patent is also directed to a composition comprising a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 virus and Ampligen designed to, in part, provide expanded immunity against future variants and also provide a similar response enhancing natural immunity post-infection, where Ampligen is administered as an early onset intranasal therapy," added Equels.
AIM has established a growing patent portfolio covering Ampligen related to the deadly coronavirus as well as cancer.
“This newly issued patent, along with other patents and patent applications, significantly support our goal of developing a prophylactic and early-onset therapy against COVID-19 and other deadly viruses. The issuance of this, and other patents, in the Netherlands is supportive of our extensive research program there,” said Equels.
AIM’s Ampligen intranasal safety study showing Ampligen is well-tolerated and its groundbreaking pancreatic cancer research have all come from the Netherlands.
“We look forward to advancing our research programs with our development partner in the Netherlands and importantly, taking another step toward a potential therapeutic for the treatment of multiple types of cancers, immune disorders, and viral diseases, including COVID-19,” concluded Equels.
AIM said it continues to execute on its strategic plan to develop an effective therapeutic for Long COVID with its investigational drug Ampligen.
Contact the author Uttara Choudhury at uttara@proactiveinvestors.com
Follow her on Twitter: @UttaraProactive