Annovis Bio Receives New U.S. Patent For Buntanetap To Prevent And Treat Brain Injuries Caused By Infections

Annovis Bio, Inc. announced that it has been issued U.S. Patent No. 12,582,632 B2, which covers the use of its investigational oral therapy, buntanetap, and related compounds for preventing and treating neurological injuries caused by brain infections. The company, which is in Phase 3 clinical development, is advancing buntanetap as a potential treatment for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.

In recent years, the role of infectious agents in the development of Alzheimer’s has drawn considerable attention from the scientific community. Research linked to the brain microbiome indicates that various types of infections—including viral, bacterial, fungal, protozoan, and parasitic—may contribute to the underlying mechanisms that eventually lead to Alzheimer’s. Several pathogens have already been associated with the disease, such as herpes simplex virus, HIV, COVID-related viruses, bacteria responsible for Lyme disease, and periodontal bacteria arising from gum disease. Studies in this area are continuing as scientists investigate additional microbial and viral triggers.

One key hypothesis suggests that when the brain encounters infectious agents, it responds by producing higher levels of amyloid-beta and tau proteins. These proteins serve as part of the brain’s natural defense system, trapping harmful pathogens and protecting neurons. While this response is protective in the short term, the long-term overproduction of these proteins may eventually contribute to the toxic processes that lead to Alzheimer’s, often many years after the initial infection.

Buntanetap’s mechanism of action aligns closely with this emerging scientific understanding. The drug works by decreasing the excessive production of neurotoxic, aggregating proteins such as amyloid-beta and tau at the translational level. By targeting this overproduction, buntanetap addresses a biological process believed to be triggered by infections that may initiate or accelerate neurological damage.

The newly granted patent is significant in its scope. It covers the use of buntanetap and similar compounds to address neurological injuries arising from a wide range of infectious agents. This includes not only treating individuals who have already suffered neurological effects but also using the therapy preventively in people who may be at risk of exposure. The protection provided by this patent extends through 2044, strengthening the company’s overall intellectual property position.

Maria Maccecchini, Ph.D. stated that the patent represents a meaningful expansion of the company’s intellectual property portfolio and supports its ongoing efforts to maximize buntanetap’s potential benefits for patients. She emphasized that Alzheimer’s is an extremely complex disease influenced by multiple factors and that understanding all potential contributors, including infections, is essential. She noted that there is a clear need for approaches that can prevent or address neurodegeneration caused by the overproduction of proteins during microbial and viral infections, and that the newly issued patent helps position the company to pursue this goal effectively.