MediciNova, Inc. announced that it has received a Notice of Allowance from the Canadian Intellectual Property Office for a pending patent application which covers the combination of MN-166 (ibudilast) and riluzole for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Once issued, the patent maturing from this allowed patent application is expected to expire no earlier than November 2035. The allowed claims cover the use of the combination of MN-166 (ibudilast) and riluzole for treating a patient diagnosed with ALS when administered in a tablet, a capsule, or a liquid dosage form.

The allowed claims specifically cover the use of the combination of MN-166 (ibudilast) and riluzole for slowing progression of disease in a patient diagnosed with ALS when administered in a tablet, a capsule, or a liquid dosage form. The allowed claims cover a wide range of doses and a range of dosing regimens for both MN-166 (ibudilast) and riluzole. MN-166 (ibudilast) is a small molecule compound that inhibits phosphodiesterase type-4 (PDE4) and inflammatory cytokines, including macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF).

It is in late-stage clinical development for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), progressive MS (multiple sclerosis), and DCM (degenerative cervical myelopathy); and is also in development for glioblastoma, Long COVID, CIPN (chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy), and substance use disorder. In addition, MN-166 (ibudilast) was evaluated in patients that are at risk for developing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).