PharmAust secures non-cancer patent

ASX-listed clinical-stage oncology company PharmAust has secured a new patent in Australia covering the use of its lead drug for non-cancer applications, including neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes and age-related disorders.

The patent (AU 2013302209), entitled ‘Compounds For The Treatment Of mTOR Pathway Related Diseases’, relates to the use of aminoacetonitrile derivatives (AADs) for the treatment of mTOR pathway-related diseases and provides the company with protection for this IP until 2033.

Aminoacetonitrile derivatives include the Novartis Animal Health compound Monepantel (MPL), the use of which PharmAust has patented for various disease indications and which is currently being evaluated in clinical trials for cancer by PharmAust.

“In addition to our already granted patents covering the use of AADs to treat cancer, PharmAust has now secured a strong IP position for these compounds for treatment of non-cancer indications such as neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes and age-related disorders. There is increasing evidence that the mTOR pathway plays a major role in these diseases,” said PharmAust’s CEO Dr Richard Hopkins.

“The key message is this patent expands the range of therapeutic indications we can target, enabling the company to explore new commercial opportunities in major markets.”