U.S. Patent Office Awards Diffusion Exclusive Rights for Use of TSC in Conjunction with Only FDA-Approved Stroke Therapeutic

Diffusion Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq:DFFN), a cutting-edge biotechnology company developing new treatments for life-threatening medical conditions by improving the body’s ability to bring oxygen to the areas where it’s needed most, announced today that it has been awarded a patent for the use of its breakthrough drug, trans sodium crocetinate (TSC), in conjunction with Tissue Plasminogen Activator (tPA) for the treatment of stroke. Currently, tPA – a thrombolytic used to break down blood clots in patients suffering from ischemic stroke – is the only FDA-approved therapeutic stroke treatment.

As quoted in the press release:

The granting of Diffusion’s patent follows the recent news that the Company received FDA approval to enroll patients in an ambulance-based Phase 2 clinical trial testing TSC for the treatment of both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke.

The use of TSC represents a potential breakthrough in the treatment of stroke, which afflicts nearly 800,000 Americans each year. Diffusion’s FDA-approved Phase 2 clinical trial will focus on the concept of early intervention – allowing patients suffering from either ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke to receive TSC on the ambulance or in the emergency department immediately upon onset of symptoms. Patients can then, separately, receive tPA in-hospital if they are found to be suffering from ischemic stroke. If the clinical trial is successful, there is the potential to establish a new standard of care, with a combination drug therapy which could generate over $1 billion annually.

“The granting of exclusive rights for the use of TSC in conjunction with tPA for the treatment of stroke is a significant development for Diffusion,” said Thomas E. Byrne, General Counsel of Diffusion. “We’re excited about the opportunity this patent affords, as it gives Diffusion exclusive rights over the use of these two drugs together, a combination which may make a real difference for patients suffering from stroke.”

Click here to read the full press release.