The European Patent Office granted Vistagen (NASDAQ:VTGN) a patent for AV-101, its oral NMDAR (N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor) glycine site antagonist, a potential new oral treatment alternative for multiple CNS disorders, involving the NMDAR, such as dyskinesia associated with levodopa therapy for Parkinson’s disease, major depressive disorder and neuropathic pain.
The patent covers the synthesis of AV-101 and certain chemical intermediaries, which synthesis yields AV-101 in commercial quantities and has the scalability for commercial manufacture. The new European patent is a counterpart to previously granted U.S. patent and will be in effect until at least 2039.
“AV-101’s potential to inhibit the function of the NMDAR, without fully blocking it like other NMDAR antagonists, such as ketamine, anchors our interest in developing it as an innovative therapy for millions of patients affected by CNS disorders involving the NMDAR,” Shawn Singh, CEO of Vistagen, said in a statement.
“This new patent covering our improved and streamlined manufacturing process may result in advantages for getting AV-101 to patients, on our own or potentially with a partner,” he added.
