News RegeneRx to Receive EU Patent for Molecule That May Lead to MS Remyelination Therapy RegeneRx to Receive EU Patent for Molecule That May Lead to MS Remyelination Therapy by Patricia Silva, PhD | August 31, 2016 Share this article: Share article via email Copy article link RegeneRx BiopharmaceuticalsĀ announced that it has received anĀ Intent to Grant notice from the European Patent Office (EPO) regarding a patent for itsĀ proprietary molecule Thymosin beta 4 (TĪ²4), aĀ potential therapyĀ forĀ multiple sclerosis (MS)Ā designed to promote remyelination. The patent will cover the use of TĪ²4 in a composition for treating or reducing deterioration that results in injury or damage to tissues caused by MS. It willĀ expire on Jan. 13, 2026. An injectable formulation known as RGN-352 was developed based on TĪ²4, and is designed to be administered systemically to prevent and repair damage that results from central nervous system (CNS) tissue-associated disorders, such as MS, cardiac damage from heart attacks, and traumatic injuries such as stroke. The drug candidate isĀ Phase 2 clinical trial ready, the company said in a press release. “This patent expands our exclusivity for the potential administration of RGN-352 in patients with multiple sclerosis in key countries inĀ EuropeĀ and broadens our patent portfolio related to the systemic use of RGN-352 for CNS and neurodegenerative disorders. We are pleased patent applications for our technologies, some of which were initially filed years ago as part of our intellectual property strategy, continue to be granted throughout the world,” said J.J. Finkelstein, president and chief executive officer of RegeneRx. As reported by Multiple Sclerosis News Today, a recent article detailed the process by which TĪ²4 effectively was seen to promote remyelination in two separate animal models commonly used for MS research. The article,Ā āThymosin beta4 promotes oligodendrogenesis in the demyelinating central nervous system,āĀ was published in the journalĀ Neurobiology of Disease. Specifically, researchersĀ showed that TĪ²4 is effectively able to promote the proliferation and differentiation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) into mature, myelin-producing oligodendrocytes, while also decreasing damage to axons (long projections of neurons that transmit information to different neurons and muscles) in both miceĀ models of MS. Myelin is the lipidic material that protects nerve fibers in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Myelination is the process of myelin formation around neurons, and is carried out by oligodendrocytes in the CNS. Demyelination (the process of myelin destruction) is a typical feature of MS, and there are currently no remyelination therapies in use. RGN-259, the company’s TĪ²4-based ophthalmic drug candidate, is now in clinical testing in patients withĀ neurotrophic keratopathy. Print This Page About the Author Patricia Silva, PhD PatrĆcia holds a PhD in medical microbiology and infectious diseases from the Leiden University Medical Center, Netherlands, and completed a postdoctoral research fellowship at the Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Lisbon, Portugal. Her work in academia was mainly focused on molecular biology and the genetic traits of infectious agents such as viruses and parasites. PatrĆcia earned several travel awards to present her work at international scientific meetings. She is a published author of several peer-reviewed science articles. Tags oligodendrocytes, OPC, patent, remyelination
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