Australian antiviral drug development company, Island Pharmaceuticals (ASX: ILA) has been granted a key patent relating to the company’s lead drug candidate, ISLA-101.
The US patent grant entitled “Method of viral inhibition” was issued under US. Patent No 12,161,610 and has an expiration date of 16 April 2034. The patent covers a method of reducing the severity of one or more symptoms of dengue virus by administering ISLA-101.
“We are pleased to have been awarded this latest U.S. patent, which bolsters our expanding intellectual property portfolio and provides enhanced protection for our flagship programme, ISLA-101, aimed at combating dengue fever. As we continue to advance our Phase 2a/b ISLA-101 clinical trial, our IP programme remains fundamental to its success," CEO of Island Pharmaceuticals, Dr David Foster, said.
Island has licensed the intellectual property for ISLA-101, generated by Monash University.
ISLA-101, a drug with a well- established safety profile, being repurposed for the prevention and treatment of dengue fever and other mosquito (or vector) borne diseases.
If ISLA-101 achieves FDA approval, and certain other criteria are met, Island may be eligible to obtain a "Priority Review Voucher" at the time of FDA approval. This means that as well as getting approval to manufacture and sell ISLA-101, the Priority Review Voucher (PRV) could permit Island to expedite the FDA approval process for a new drug or sell the PRV in a secondary market.