California-based MediciNova Inc. has received a Notice of Allowance for new patient incorporating MN-OO1 (tipelukast) and MN-002 (a leading metabolite of MN-OO1) meant for the treatment of advanced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in Japan. Reportedly, once issued, the patent maturing from the allowed patent application is slated to expire by May 2035. MN-001 and MN-002 are covered by the allowed claims meant for the use in the treatment of a patient with advanced NASH. Advanced NASH patients who show spider angiomata, hepatic fibrosis, ascites, hard liver, splenomegaly, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), cirrhosis, hepatic scarring, palmar erythema, portal hypertension and asterixix are also covered in the claims. It is believed that the allowed claims incorporate oral administration such as capsules and tablets and liquid dosage forms. It is worth noting that the allowed claims also cover MN-001 and MN-002 meant for the use in minimizing hepatic scarring and minimizing hepatic fibrosis in a patient with advanced NASH. MD, PHD, President and CEO of MediciNova Yuichi Iwaki expressed his pleasure in receiving notice of allowance which will help them boost the likely value of MN-001. Iwaki claims to have reported positive results from MN-001’s Phase 2 clinical trial which enrolled NASH and NAFLD patients with hypertriglyceridemia. He went on to emphasize the U.S. FDA’s nod granting Fast Track Designation for MN-001 meant for the treatment of NASH with fibrosis. The CEO of MediciNova also noted that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office had previously given a green signal to a patent that incorporates MN-001 and MN-002 for advanced NASH with fibrosis. About MediciNova California-based publicly-traded biopharmaceutical company MediciNova is emphasizing MN-166 meant for neurological disorders, including progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, glioblastoma (GBM) and substance dependence. The company is also focusing on MN-001 for fibrotic disease and MN-221 and MN-029. Source credit: https://investors.medicinova.com/news-releases/news-release-details/medicinova-receives-notice-allowance-new-patent-covering-mn-17