biotechnology

ABVC BioPharma Secures Japanese Patent for Botanical Depression Drug ABV-1504, Strengthens Global IP Portfolio

by

In a significant boost to its intellectual property portfolio, U.S.-based clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company ABVC BioPharma has received a key patent grant in Japan for its novel antidepressant candidate, ABV-1504. The newly issued patent secures exclusive rights in Japan for the innovative botanical-based treatment through 2040, reinforcing the company’s commitment to addressing global mental health challenges with plant-derived therapies.

ABV-1504, currently under clinical development for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), is formulated from PDC-1421, a proprietary compound extracted from the traditional medicinal herb Polygala tenuifolia. This active ingredient acts as a Norepinephrine Transporter (NET) inhibitor and has shown encouraging safety and efficacy in Phase II clinical trials, offering a potentially safer and non-addictive alternative to conventional treatments like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

The Japanese patent adds to ABVC’s existing IP protections in the United States, Australia, and Taiwan, ensuring broad international coverage for PDC-1421. With depression affecting more than 280 million people globally, and the antidepressant market projected to reach $20 billion by 2030, ABV-1504 positions itself as a differentiated and promising therapy in a growing global landscape.

“Securing patent protection in Japan is a critical achievement for ABV-1504 and reflects our broader strategy to provide innovative, plant-based solutions for central nervous system disorders,” said a company representative. “Japan’s healthcare system, which has long embraced botanical therapies, represents an ideal market for introducing this novel treatment.”

Japan presents strong commercial potential for ABV-1504. With over 5 million people suffering from depression and the country’s antidepressant market expected to surpass $1.25 billion by 2025, ABVC sees the region as a vital part of its global expansion strategy. The integration of herbal medicine into Japan’s modern healthcare practices further enhances market readiness for scientifically validated botanical alternatives.

To accelerate market access and local engagement, ABVC established BioLite Japan K.K., a joint venture led by a former Pfizer executive with deep experience in the Asia-Pacific pharmaceutical industry. Through this entity, ABVC is actively collaborating with regulatory bodies, academic institutions, and local industry leaders to prepare for future clinical and commercial developments in the region.

In a parallel development, ABVC signed a global licensing deal in November 2023 with AiBtl BioPharma Inc., valued at $667 million. The agreement includes milestone payments and royalties based on future commercialization success, underscoring investor confidence in the compound’s potential.

The issuance of the Japanese patent represents a major milestone for ABVC BioPharma as it continues its mission to redefine the treatment landscape for mental health disorders. By advancing a botanical-based solution with proven clinical promise, ABVC aims to offer patients a new path toward safer and more sustainable depression management.

Catheter Precision Secures First U.S. Patent for Surgical Closure Device, LockeT

by


Catheter Precision, Inc. (NYSE American: VTAK), a leading U.S.-based developer of advanced medical devices in the cardiac electrophysiology field, has received a significant boost to its intellectual property portfolio. The company announced today that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued a notice of allowance for its first U.S. patent for LockeT, a specialized surgical closure device designed for orthoscopic entry wounds. The patent application was originally filed in December 2022.

LockeT, a Class 1 device registered with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is a suture retention product aimed at facilitating wound closure following percutaneous venous procedures. This latest patent strengthens Catheter Precision’s competitive position in the U.S. market and builds upon its growing foundation of international intellectual property protections.

“This first U.S. patent for LockeT complements our portfolio of international patents already granted in China, Europe, and the United Kingdom,” said David Jenkins, Chief Executive Officer of Catheter Precision. “Securing IP protection in the U.S. is particularly meaningful as we continue discussions for product distribution in key global markets, including China and Europe.”

The company is also anticipating regulatory clearance in the form of a CE mark within the current quarter, which would authorize LockeT’s commercial use across European markets. According to Jenkins, this approval is expected to open new revenue opportunities and accelerate market entry efforts abroad.

“We’re encouraged by the reception LockeT has received since its limited rollout in the U.S. late last year,” Jenkins added. “Healthcare systems globally are increasingly looking for devices that can improve clinical outcomes while also reducing overall procedural costs. LockeT is well-positioned to meet these dual objectives.”

LockeT represents a key addition to the company’s product lineup, especially as hospitals and surgical centers seek more effective wound management solutions that minimize complications and enhance recovery.

About Catheter Precision
Based in the United States, Catheter Precision, Inc. is a medical technology company dedicated to improving the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. The company collaborates closely with clinicians to design and deliver innovative electrophysiology devices that raise the standard of care in cardiac procedures.

Forward-Looking Information
This news article contains statements that may be considered forward-looking under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties, including those related to product approvals, market adoption, and commercial success. Actual results may differ materially due to various factors, including those detailed in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Delhi High Court upheld Controller’s decision under section 10(4)

by

The Delhi High Court’s decision highlights the importance of fulfilling the detailed disclosure requirements under the Patents Act 1970, particularly in terms of the scope of the claims made in a patent application. The ruling on the patent application by the Regents of the University of California relates to a recombinant Salmonella microorganism-based live vaccine designed to prevent enteric bacterial infections

Key points from the ruling:

Insufficient Disclosure: The court emphasized that the patent application needed for a clear and comprehensive understanding of the invention. This failure resulted in non-compliance with Section 10(4) of the Patents Act, which requires a full description of the invention and the best method of performing it.

Scope of Claims: The Court found that the application broadly claimed the disruption of the gene product in any form, not just through deliberate genetic modifications. This broadness could have led to the inclusion of naturally occurring mutations, which are excluded from patentability under Section 3(c) of the Act. Therefore, the application lacked clarity and precision in defining the scope of what it intended to patent.

Failure to Enable a Skilled Person: The court noted that the patent application did not provide sufficient details for a person skilled in microbiology subject matter to carry out the invention, which is required under Section 10(4)(b) of the Patent Act. The application was seen as incomplete, leaving out important details needed for the invention’s practical implementation.

Incomplete Disclosure: Although the application included examples of deletion mutations in Salmonella, it did not sufficiently cover other forms of mutations, like insertion or substitution. This partial disclosure further contributed to the application’s failure to meet the standards of Section 10(4)(a), which mandates that the invention be fully disclosed.

Impact of the Decision: The Court’s decision focuses the necessity of precise and detailed disclosures in patent applications, particularly when the scope of the invention could potentially cover a wide variety of methods or naturally occurring phenomena. It also highlights the potential issues with vague claims that might lead to patenting something that should not be patentable, such as naturally mutated organisms.

In conclusion, the Delhi High Court upheld the controller’s decision of refusal to grant a patent, reinforcing the importance of clarity and completeness in patent applications for biotechnology-related inventions.