The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted a new patent for Verona Pharma’s lead drug candidate, RPL554. The patent is the fourth patent issued for RPL554 and related compounds in the US.

RPL554, Verona Pharma's lead drug candidate, is a dual phosphodiesterase 3 and 4 inhibitor with both bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory properties.  RPL554 is being developed for the treatment of patients with chronic respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. The company is currently carrying out clinical trials of the drug to further characterize its bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory effects.

Dr Jan-Anders Karlsson, CEO of Verona Pharma, said: “We are growing the intellectual property portfolio around the RPL554 programme and the issue of this new US patent strengthens and harmonizes our international patent estate around RPL554 and provides exclusivity in one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical markets. We continue to develop our intellectual property rights as this is a key part of Verona Pharma’s strategy.”

Verona Pharma plc is developing first-in-class drugs to treat respiratory disease, such as COPD, asthma and chronic severe cough. The company has three drug programmes, two of which are in phase II. The lead programme, RPL554, is an innovative dual phosphodiesterease (PDE) 3 and 4 inhibitor with both bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory effects.