The purpose of this column is to highlight and summarize recent key patents in the pharmaceutical arena issued by the US Patent Office in June-July, 2026.
Injectable Sustained Release Composition and Method of Using the Same for Treating Inflammation in Joints and Pain Associated Therewith;
J.A. Helliwell, A.M. Malone, T.J. Smith, and M.M. Baum; Eupraxia Pharma., USA; U.S. Patent # 12,648,914; June 9, 2026.
The present patent covers an injectable sustained-release corticosteroid composition for treating inflammation and/or managing pain in a body compartment, such as a joint space, an epidural space, the vitreous body of an eye, a surgically created space, or a space adjacent to an implant. The formulation uses crystalline fluticasone, including fluticasone, fluticasone furoate, or fluticasone propionate, contained within a semipermeable polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) polymer shell, with defined particle size and heat-treatment characteristics designed to control drug diffusion. Following intra-articular injection, the microparticles provide prolonged local corticosteroid release—potentially for 2–12 months, aiming to maintain therapeutic concentrations while reducing systemic exposure and thereby potentially limiting corticosteroid-related adverse effects.
Combination Therapy Comprising a Composition of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells and Hyaluronic Acid for use in Treatment of Osteoarthritis;
P.K. Gupta, U. Kolkundkar, S. Parashuram, and S. K. S. Shanmugam; Stempeutics Research Pvt. Ltd., India; U.S. Patent # 12,661,377; June 23, 2026.
The patent describes a combined osteoarthritis (OA) treatment using ultrasound-guided intra-articular administration of pooled mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and mid-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid (HA). The treatment is intended to reduce inflammation and slow disease progression, including by increasing an anti-inflammatory biomarker and decreasing a biomarker associated with OA progression. It also covers a kit containing the MSC composition and hyaluronic acid for administering this combination therapy.
Taste-Modulation of Cooling Agents in Beverages;
E.T. Wei; Berkeley, CA, USA; U.S. Patent # 12,667,122; June 30, 2026.
This patent describes a beverage containing a cooling agent, which targets TRPM8 receptors on nerve cell membranes. The whole body feels cooler for about 20 minutes or more after drinking. It also exerts a cooling sensation in the upper center of the chest. The cooling agent is effective when consumed even with warm or hot beverages. One of the cooling agents is – 1 diisopropyl-phosphinoyl alkane, specifically 1-diisopropyl-phosphinoyl-nonane (DIPA-1-9). The formulation also contains neotame (Newtame) at a concentration of 0.05 to 0.2 mg/mL. It is an analog of aspartame and it is 7,000 to 13,000 times sweeter than sucrose.
Compositions for Treatment of Fungal Nail Infections;
J. Ridden, C.C. Ridden, and D. Cook; Blueberry Therapeutics Ltd, Great Britain; U.S. Patent # 12,678,414; July 14, 2026.
The present invention relates to a topical antifungal composition containing terbinafine, or polymer-based nanoparticles. The formulation is designed to overcome limitations of conventional antifungal treatments, particularly poor drug solubility, toxicity, limited penetration through the nail and skin, long treatment durations, and poor patient adherence. The nanoparticles are formed in the presence of terbinafine and contain terbinafine-to-polymer ratios of approximately 1:2 to 1:4, together with up to about 30% alcohol. The composition is particularly intended for treating fungal nail and skin infections, including onychomycosis and tinea pedis, by improving the delivery and penetration of terbinafine into infected tissues. It also covers methods for preparing the nanoparticle composition and combinations of components used to produce it.
Composition for Alleviating Hair Loss or Promoting Hair Growth;
J.Y. Kim, J.Y. Shin, Y.H. Choi, and S.H. Lee; LG Household & Health Care Ltd., South Korea; U.S. Patent # 12,678,387; July 14, 2026.
The present disclosure describes a composition for preventing hair-loss and promoting hair-growth using one or more plant-derived active ingredients, including momordin Ic, platycodin D2, polygalacin D, asiaticoside B, bacopaside I, notoginsenoside R2, picfeltarraenin IB, pseudoginsenoside RT5, raddeanin A, vina-ginsenoside R4, and ziyuglycoside II. The composition is designed to shorten the transition from the resting phase to the growth phase and delay entry into the regression phase of the hair cycle. The active ingredients stimulate hair follicle activity, activate Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and reduce male-hormone effects, improving hair growth and thickness. The composition may be formulated as a topical liquid, cream, gel, paste, lotion, tonic, shampoo, spray, or other hair/scalp product, with alcohols such as ethanol or isopropanol potentially improving skin absorption.
Therapeutic Carbon Monoxide Formulations;
C. G. Traverso, J.D. Byrne, H. Boyce, L.E. Otterbein, and D.J. Gallo; The Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Inc., Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, USA; U.S. Patent # 12,691,140; July 28, 2026.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is known as a silent killer gas owing to its strong affinity to hemoglobin. However, it has beneficial effects at lower concentrations. CO is one of the three gasotransmitters (CO, nitric oxide and hydrogen sulfide). Gasotransmitters are endogenously produced gaseous molecules, which can diffuse across cell membranes. CO has cellular signaling and anti-inflammatory effects. The patent claims a carrier comprising gas pockets filled with CO at concentrations 0.5 mg/g. The carrier can be a foam or a hydrogel. The delivery system can provide an extended release of CO.
Methods and Compositions Relating to Emulsion Comprising Fish Oil and/or Omega-3 Fatty Acids;
M. Puder and K.M. Gura; The Children’s Medical Center Corp., USA; U.S. Patent # 12,673,024; July 7, 2026.
Parenteral nutrition (PN) dependency can be short term or long term. PN-dependent patients, short- or long-term, face pro-inflammatory challenges. Soybean oil-based emulsions are rich in pro-inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids whereas fish oil has high amounts of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids. Inventors found that mixed emulsions containing medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), fish oil and omega 3 fatty acid provide improved anti-inflammatory response. The emulsion also contains alpha-tocopherol at 100 mg/L concentration.
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