EXCLUSIVE: Ocean Biomedical Announces New Patent For Fibrosis Candidate Catering To One Of Leading Death Causes In US

Ocean Biomedical Inc OCEA announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued a patent covering Ocean’s anti-Chitinase 1 small molecule candidate. 

Dr. Jack A. Elias, one of Ocean’s Scientific Co-founders, discovered this molecule to be a key factor in controlling and inhibiting fibrosis progression, with potential application in several major fibrotic diseases. 

The patent is U.S. Patent No. 11,717,528 B2, titled “Methods and Compositions Relating to the Treatment of Fibrosis.”

In April, Jack Elias received a Notice of Allowance from the United States Patent and Trademark Office for his U.S. patent application covering a therapeutic molecule for pulmonary fibrosis. 

Targeted diseases include alcoholic liver disease, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), scleroderma, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome (HPS), an ultra rare disorder characterized by a condition called oculocutaneous albinism, which causes abnormally light coloring (pigmentation) of the skin, hair, and eyes. 

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Ocean Biomedical Unveils Comprehensive Updates On Its Cancer, Malaria, Fibrosis Programs.

Ocean Biomedical is the exclusive licensee of this patent family. Ocean’s approach has shown an 85%–90% reduction in collagen accumulation in four different IPF and HPS pulmonary fibrosis animal models. 

This treatment approach is anticipated to be well-tolerated in humans based on data from original (non-Ocean) clinical studies and recent EPA data. 

In addition to the targeted diseases noted above, the patent notes potential use in conditions of chemotherapy-induced pulmonary fibrosis, scleroderma, collagen vascular disease, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and interstitial lung disease associated with asbestosis, silicosis, and grain exposure. 

Price Action: OCEA shares closed at $4.50 on Monday.