RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a Notice of Allowance for a new patent for treating corneal wounds using Thymosin beta 4 (Tβ4) or related therapeutic peptides. Tβ4 is the active pharmaceutical ingredient in RegeneRx's proprietary drug candidate, RGN-259, a first-in-class, preservative-free, eye drop designed for patients suffering from a broad spectrum of corneal wounds.
Corneal wounds can occur from refractive surgeries such as Lasik, eye disorders such as diabetic keratopathy and dry eye syndrome, and traumatic injuries related to abrasions and burns. Infections, as well as contact lenses, can also play a role in the development of corneal wounds. A simple-to-use, safe and effective eye drop to treat such wounds would address a significant unmet medical need.
RegeneRx has licensed the U.S. rights to RGN-259, currently in phase 3 clinical trials in the U.S., to ReGenTree, a joint venture between GtreeBNT and RegeneRx. RegeneRx retains full ownership of the intellectual property and knowhow related to RGN-259 in the EU.
"We believe this patent will complement our recently issued dry eye patent by expanding our intellectual property portfolio in the ophthalmic field and benefit our ReGenTree JV as it continues to develop products to treat various eye injuries and disorders," said J.J. Finkelstein, president and chief executive.