The Canadian patent represents the first patent covering bioactive natural products discovered using the company’s Decipher technology. Patent applications corresponding to the issued patent are pending in the US, Europe and Japan.
ECO-4401 is representative of a novel class of linear polyketides. The patent was issued with composition-of-matter claims that cover ECO-4401, 46 derivatives of ECO-4401, a genus of compounds defining the new class of polyketides and methods of producing them. The patent further covers pharmaceutical compositions containing the polyketides and their use to treat fungal infections.
Dr Pierre Falardeau, Ecopia’s president and CEO, stated: “This patent is pivotal in demonstrating our ability to broadly protect the discoveries made with Decipher technology. Over the last two years, we have used this technology to help isolate and purify over 19 potential new drugs to treat cancer or infectious diseases.”
In addition to this granted patent, the company currently has 29 pending US, Canadian or PCT international patent applications directed to natural product compounds discovered by its Decipher technology.