Koronis Pharmaceuticals Announces Patent for HIV Drug

Koronis Pharmaceuticals announced the issuance of U.S. Patent No. 7,244,732 that discloses the composition of KP-1461— the company’s lead antiviral therapeutic currently in a Phase II trial for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.

The issued patent, titled “Prodrugs of Heteroaryl Compounds,” covers the use and composition of KP-1461, an oral, small molecule antiviral therapeutic that works by viral decay acceleration (VDA), Koronis said.

According to the company, VDA moves the virus to the point of collapse by increasing its naturally high rate of mutation.

In vitro experiments have demonstrated the VDA mechanism, and scientists anticipate that similar findings will be noted in clinical trials of HIV-infected patients, the company said.

KP-1461 is currently in a Phase IIa clinical trial designed to evaluate the safety, efficacy and tolerability when KP-1461 is administered as monotherapy in treatment-experienced patients, the company added.