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).
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Conduit Pharmaceuticals Receives Additional Patent Approval for Lead Autoimmune Disease Asset
Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: CDT), a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing treatments for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, announced today that it has received further patent approval for its lead therapeutic asset targeting autoimmune conditions. The newly granted patent strengthens the company’s intellectual property portfolio and provides added protection for its innovative approach to treating autoimmune diseases such as sarcoidosis and lupus.
The patent, issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), covers key methods of use and compositions relating to Conduit’s investigational drug, which is designed to modulate the immune response in patients with chronic autoimmune disorders. According to company officials, the approval not only broadens the existing patent family but also enhances the commercial potential of the lead compound as it advances through clinical development.
“This new patent grant is a major milestone for Conduit Pharmaceuticals, as it secures crucial proprietary rights over our lead autoimmune asset,” said Dr. David Tapolczay, Chief Executive Officer of Conduit Pharmaceuticals. “Our mission is to bring safe and effective treatments to patients suffering from complex autoimmune conditions, and this patent approval is a significant step forward in protecting the innovation that underpins our approach.”
The company’s lead asset, originally acquired from a major pharmaceutical partner, has demonstrated promising results in preclinical and early clinical studies. The drug works by selectively targeting pathways involved in the overactive immune response characteristic of autoimmune diseases, while minimizing systemic immunosuppression.
Conduit Pharmaceuticals has emphasized its strategy of revitalizing underutilized assets from larger pharmaceutical companies and accelerating them through late-stage development. The expanded patent protection ensures a longer runway for exclusivity, which could facilitate future licensing agreements or commercial partnerships.
Industry analysts view the patent approval as a positive development that enhances Conduit’s valuation and strengthens its position in the competitive autoimmune drug market, projected to surpass $150 billion globally by 2030.
The company plans to continue progressing its lead candidate through clinical trials, with additional updates expected later this year regarding regulatory filings and potential Phase 2 study initiations.
For more information, visit www.conduitpharma.com.
WHO and Medicines Patent Pool Support Nigerian Innovation in Health Diagnostic
In a landmark step towards strengthening healthcare innovation in Africa, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) have announced strategic support for Nigerian-led advancements in health diagnostics. This collaboration is aimed at fostering local innovation, improving access to affordable diagnostic tools, and enhancing the country’s capacity to respond to pressing public health challenges.
The initiative comes under WHO’s Global Initiative on Digital Health and the MPP’s commitment to equitable access to medical innovations. Nigeria has been identified as a critical partner due to its growing innovation ecosystem and urgent need for scalable, cost-effective diagnostic solutions for diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, hepatitis, and HIV/AIDS.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, WHO Nigeria Country Representative, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, emphasized the importance of locally developed technologies in transforming health outcomes. “Nigeria has demonstrated significant potential in biomedical innovation,” he stated. “By supporting homegrown diagnostic solutions, we aim to empower Nigerian researchers and entrepreneurs to develop tools that are not only technologically sound but also contextually appropriate for local health challenges.”
The partnership will provide technical assistance, funding opportunities, and pathways to intellectual property management through the MPP. Nigerian innovators will gain access to international patent licensing frameworks, regulatory support, and opportunities for technology transfer. This is expected to facilitate the development, manufacturing, and distribution of diagnostics that meet global standards while remaining affordable for local healthcare systems.
“Affordable diagnostics are a cornerstone of universal health coverage,” he said. “Through this collaboration, we aim to bridge the gap between innovation and access, ensuring that promising technologies from Nigeria can benefit both the country and the wider global South.”
Among the early beneficiaries of the initiative is a Lagos-based biotech startup that has developed a rapid point-of-care diagnostic test for tuberculosis, which uses AI-powered image recognition. Another group from Ahmadu Bello University is working on a low-cost paper-based testing kit for hepatitis B and C, tailored for use in rural and underserved communities.
Health experts have welcomed the announcement, noting that empowering local solutions can reduce dependency on imported diagnostics and improve response times during outbreaks. Dr. Amina Balogun, a public health analyst, noted: “This kind of support is crucial for building a self-reliant health system. It’s not just about the tools, but about building confidence and capacity in our institutions and scientists.”
As part of the next phase, WHO and MPP plan to host a regional innovation forum in Nigeria later this year to showcase emerging diagnostic technologies and connect local developers with global health agencies and funders.
This partnership marks a significant step in aligning Nigeria’s innovation capacity with global health goals and demonstrates how strategic international collaboration can empower local solutions to meet both national and international health needs.
Government can invoke section 100 of Patent for Rare Disease Medicine
In a recent news MP Haris Beeran (Rajya Sabha) wrote to the Minister of Health and Family Welfare on December 20, 2024, urging the Central Government to invoke Section 100 (1) of the Patents Act with respect to local production of the rare disease Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) treating drug Risdiplam. SMA is a genetic disease affecting the nerve cells that control voluntary muscle movement. SMA incidence in India is one in 10,000 live-born babies. Risdiplam is currently under patent protection in India till May 11, 2035 (subject to payment of Patent renewal fees) and is Patented as Indian Patent No. IN 334397.
Key Points:
High Treatment Costs: The annual cost of Risdiplam treatment is approximately ₹1 crore, which is huge and unaffordable for patients.
Government Intervention: Section 100 of the Patents Act empowers the government of India to authorize the local manufacturing of patented drugs in the extreme urgency, potentially reducing costs significantly.
Public Health Impact: SMA affects thousands of children in India annually, and the high cost of treatment has led to calls for government action to ensure access to essential medications.
By invoking Section 100, the government can enable local production of Risdiplam, potentially reducing the annual treatment cost to around ₹3,024, thereby improving access for patients in need. Section 100 empowers the central government to use, or authorise to use, an invention (application or grant) for the purposes of the government, on a non-commercial basis. Importantly, this is not a provision that requires abuse of patent by the patentee. This includes but is not limited to using the invention in case of national emergency or other situations of extreme urgency.
Key Points:
High Treatment Costs: The annual cost of Risdiplam treatment is approximately ₹1 crore, which is huge and unaffordable for patients.
Government Intervention: Section 100 of the Patents Act empowers the government of India to authorize the local manufacturing of patented drugs in the extreme urgency, potentially reducing costs significantly.
Public Health Impact: SMA affects thousands of children in India annually, and the high cost of treatment has led to calls for government action to ensure access to essential medications.
By invoking Section 100, the government can enable local production of Risdiplam, potentially reducing the annual treatment cost to around ₹3,024, thereby improving access for patients in need. Section 100 empowers the central government to use, or authorise to use, an invention (application or grant) for the purposes of the government, on a non-commercial basis. Importantly, this is not a provision that requires abuse of patent by the patentee. This includes but is not limited to using the invention in case of national emergency or other situations of extreme urgency.