Trethera Obtains New License, Extends TRE-515 Market Exclusivity to 2045

Trethera Corporation, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical firm, has announced a new, exclusive global licensing agreement with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). This agreement significantly expands Trethera's intellectual property portfolio, particularly for its leading drug candidate, TRE-515, by including new therapeutic applications for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

The license encompasses both method of use claims and compound structures, considerably enhancing Trethera's patent protection within the largest pharmaceutical markets globally. With this agreement, Trethera aims to secure market exclusivity for TRE-515 until at least February 2045, bolstering its long-term commercial strategy. Dr. Ken Schultz, Trethera’s Chairman and CEO, emphasized that this newly acquired intellectual property strengthens the company's already strong patent estate. He highlighted that alongside their existing patents and ongoing proprietary research, Trethera has developed a robust patent strategy to safeguard and fully exploit the clinical and commercial potential of TRE-515 across multiple therapeutic areas.

Currently, TRE-515 is undergoing Phase 1 clinical trials targeting cancer. It is also part of an expanded access program for ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) and is involved in preclinical research showing promising effects in various autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. The expanded intellectual property portfolio for Trethera now includes several granted patents in the United States and internationally, as well as pending applications covering both the composition and method of use in oncology and immunology.

Amir Naiberg from UCLA expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with Trethera, praising the company's expertise in product development combined with UCLA’s cutting-edge research. This partnership is seen as paving the way for commercially viable treatments that address significant unmet healthcare needs today. Dr. Peter M. Clark, a UCLA professor and inventor of the licensed patent, noted that the agreement is a crucial step towards bringing dCK inhibitors closer to commercial approval. The patent claims cover both new chemical structures and applications in immune-mediated disorders, and Trethera's leadership is vital in translating this science into practical therapies.

Previously, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issued a Notice of Allowance for a composition of matter patent covering TRE-515 until November 2041, giving Trethera a substantial patent runway. The company's global patent efforts are actively in progress, with filings in major pharmaceutical markets such as Europe, China, and Japan. With the newly licensed patent and a growing international intellectual property portfolio, Trethera holds a strong patent position as it moves TRE-515 toward regulatory approval and commercialization.

Trethera, founded by prominent UCLA scientists, is a privately held biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel treatments for autoimmune diseases and cancers. The company is led by an experienced management team and board members. By targeting nucleotide metabolism, Trethera developed TRE-515, an orally administered capsule designated twice by the FDA as an Orphan Drug. TRE-515 acts as a first-in-class clinical stage drug that inhibits deoxycytidine kinase (dCK), the rate-limiting enzyme in the nucleoside salvage pathway. This pathway is one of two that generate DNA precursors, and certain cancers may rely more on the salvage pathway for tumor growth. Some autoimmune diseases may also respond to TRE-515 treatment. Trethera is advancing TRE-515 for use alone or in combination to specifically target a metabolic vulnerability in cancer or autoimmune diseases, aiming to transform patient outcomes.