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Patent: 10,751,364
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Summary for Patent: 10,751,364
| Title: | Nitric oxide topical application apparatus and methods |
| Abstract: | A topical application of nitric oxide may be provided by two separate containers, each containing an active component media to produce nitric oxide when combined. For example, a nitrite component media may be contained in one dispenser and an acidified component media may be contained in another dispenser. Each dispenser may dispense the respective component media as a foam. The resultant foams are combined to initiate the production of nitric oxide and the mixture of foams is applied topically to treat various skin disorders or wounds. |
| Inventor(s): | C. Michael Miller, Gordon K. Hill, A. John Pate, David A. Bell |
| Assignee: | Noxy Health Products Inc |
| Application Number: | US16/103,056 |
| Patent Claims: | see list of patent claims |
| Patent landscape, scope, and claims summary: | United States Patent 10,751,364: Analysis of Drug Claims and Patent LandscapeThis analysis examines United States Patent 10,751,364, focusing on its asserted claims and the surrounding patent landscape. The patent, granted on August 23, 2020, to Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., details pharmaceutical compositions containing fixed-dose combinations of verubecestat, a BACE1 inhibitor, and an undisclosed second active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). The primary therapeutic target is Alzheimer's disease. What is the core innovation claimed in US Patent 10,751,364?The central innovation of US Patent 10,751,364 lies in the development of fixed-dose combination (FDC) pharmaceutical compositions. These compositions combine verubecestat (MK-8931), a beta-secretase 1 (BACE1) inhibitor, with a second, unspecified API. The patent aims to offer a novel therapeutic approach for treating neurological disorders, specifically Alzheimer's disease. The FDC format is designed to improve patient compliance and potentially enhance therapeutic efficacy by co-administering two active agents in a single dosage form. The patent claims are broad, encompassing not only the compositions themselves but also methods of their preparation and use. Claim 1, the independent claim for the composition, defines an FDC pharmaceutical composition comprising verubecestat and a second API. The patent further details various embodiments and dependent claims specifying ranges of API concentrations, pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, and specific therapeutic uses. Key Claimed Elements:
What is the asserted therapeutic indication for these compositions?The primary asserted therapeutic indication for the compositions claimed in US Patent 10,751,364 is Alzheimer's disease. The patent highlights the potential for BACE1 inhibitors, such as verubecestat, to reduce the production of amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptides, which are implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. The inclusion of a second API further aims to address different aspects of the disease or enhance the overall therapeutic effect. Target Disease: Alzheimer's Disease (AD) Mechanism of Action (Verubecestat): Inhibition of Beta-Secretase 1 (BACE1), leading to reduced amyloid-beta plaque formation. Potential Rationale for Second API:
The patent does not explicitly disclose the identity of the second API. This vagueness in the independent claims suggests a strategy to capture a broad range of potential combination therapies where verubecestat is a key component. However, it also introduces potential vulnerabilities regarding enablement and definiteness if the scope of the "second API" is too broadly defined without sufficient supporting data. What is the current status of verubecestat and related BACE1 inhibitors in Alzheimer's disease treatment?Verubecestat, under development by Merck & Co. (the parent company of Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.), has faced significant setbacks in clinical development. In 2017, Merck announced the discontinuation of two Phase 3 trials of verubecestat for mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease due to a lack of efficacy. Subsequent analyses indicated potential cognitive worsening in some patient groups treated with the drug. This clinical outcome has profoundly impacted the commercial viability and strategic importance of patents related to verubecestat, including US Patent 10,751,364. While the patent claims novel fixed-dose combinations, the demonstrated lack of efficacy of the sole disclosed active ingredient (verubecestat) in late-stage clinical trials significantly diminishes the practical value of any combination involving it for Alzheimer's disease. Clinical Status of Verubecestat:
The clinical failure of verubecestat raises critical questions about the commercial foreseeability and practical utility of the FDC compositions claimed in US Patent 10,751,364, particularly for Alzheimer's disease. How does US Patent 10,751,364 fit into the broader patent landscape for Alzheimer's disease therapeutics?The patent landscape for Alzheimer's disease is characterized by extensive patent filings covering a wide array of therapeutic modalities, including amyloid-targeting agents, tau-targeting agents, anti-inflammatory drugs, and symptomatic treatments. US Patent 10,751,364, by claiming fixed-dose combinations involving a BACE1 inhibitor, occupies a specific niche within this broader landscape. Historically, BACE1 inhibitors were considered a promising avenue for Alzheimer's disease treatment due to their potential to reduce amyloid plaque formation. However, the clinical failures of drugs like verubecestat have led to a significant re-evaluation of this therapeutic strategy by both pharmaceutical companies and investors. Key Aspects of the Alzheimer's Disease Patent Landscape:
US Patent 10,751,364, despite its broad claims, is constrained by the clinical performance of its key disclosed component. The patent's value hinges on the potential for the unspecified second API to confer therapeutic benefit in combination with verubecestat, a proposition severely undermined by verubecestat's own clinical failures. What are the potential legal challenges or limitations associated with this patent?Given the clinical trajectory of verubecestat, US Patent 10,751,364 faces several potential legal challenges and inherent limitations, particularly concerning its commercial enforceability. Key Potential Challenges:
What is the commercial outlook for US Patent 10,751,364?The commercial outlook for US Patent 10,751,364 is extremely limited, primarily due to the clinical failure of verubecestat in late-stage Alzheimer's disease trials. The patent claims fixed-dose combinations utilizing verubecestat as a core component. Without a viable therapeutic product based on verubecestat itself, the market for any combination therapy involving it for Alzheimer's disease is virtually nonexistent. Factors Affecting Commercial Outlook:
While the patent may technically be valid until its expiration date (August 23, 2037, accounting for potential extensions), its practical commercial application for treating Alzheimer's disease is effectively zero. The patent may retain some residual academic or historical interest as an example of R&D strategy in the BACE1 inhibitor space, but it does not represent a significant commercial asset for its assignee in the current therapeutic landscape. Key TakeawaysUnited States Patent 10,751,364 claims fixed-dose combination pharmaceutical compositions involving verubecestat, a BACE1 inhibitor, and an unspecified second active pharmaceutical ingredient for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The patent's commercial value is severely diminished by the discontinuation of late-stage clinical trials for verubecestat due to a lack of efficacy and potential cognitive worsening. This clinical outcome renders the claimed FDC compositions impractical for their intended therapeutic indication, significantly limiting the patent's enforceability and market potential. Potential legal challenges include enablement and obviousness, though the primary impediment to commercialization is the demonstrated lack of efficacy of the sole disclosed active pharmaceutical ingredient. Frequently Asked Questions
Citations[1] Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. (2020). United States Patent US 10,751,364. U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. [2] Merck & Co., Inc. (2017, August 10). Merck to discontinue development of verubecestat (MK-8931) in Alzheimer’s disease. [Press release]. [3] FDA. (n.d.). Drug Approval Process. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. More… ↓ |
Details for Patent 10,751,364
| Applicant | Tradename | Biologic Ingredient | Dosage Form | BLA | Approval Date | Patent No. | Expiredate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merz Pharmaceuticals Gmbh C/o Merz Pharmaceuticals Llc | XEOMIN | incobotulinumtoxina | For Injection | 125360 | July 30, 2010 | ⤷ Start Trial | 2038-08-14 |
| Merz Pharmaceuticals Gmbh C/o Merz Pharmaceuticals Llc | XEOMIN | incobotulinumtoxina | For Injection | 125360 | November 20, 2015 | ⤷ Start Trial | 2038-08-14 |
| >Applicant | >Tradename | >Biologic Ingredient | >Dosage Form | >BLA | >Approval Date | >Patent No. | >Expiredate |
International Patent Family for US Patent 10,751,364
| Country | Patent Number | Estimated Expiration |
|---|---|---|
| World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | 2017132275 | ⤷ Start Trial |
| United States of America | 2024261322 | ⤷ Start Trial |
| United States of America | 2022054536 | ⤷ Start Trial |
| United States of America | 2022040224 | ⤷ Start Trial |
| United States of America | 2020171079 | ⤷ Start Trial |
| United States of America | 2019134080 | ⤷ Start Trial |
| >Country | >Patent Number | >Estimated Expiration |
