ORYZON Strengthens Patent Portfolio With New Decisions To Grant Covering Iadademstat And Vafidemstat, Enhancing Protection For Its Lead Epigenetic Therapies

Oryzon Genomics, S.A., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company and European leader in epigenetics, has announced further expansion of its patent portfolio for its LSD1 inhibitors iadademstat and vafidemstat. The update follows new Decisions to Grant from both the Australian and European patent offices, strengthening Oryzon’s intellectual property protection for these key drug candidates in oncology and central nervous system (CNS) disorders.

The Australian Patent Office has issued a Decision to Grant for patent application AU2020249493, titled “Combinations of iadademstat for cancer therapy.” This patent covers the use of iadademstat in combination with PD1 or PD-L1 inhibitors for cancer treatment, including small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Once officially granted, the patent will be valid until at least 2040, with the potential for term extensions. A similar patent has already been granted in Russia, while additional applications remain pending in Europe, the United States, Japan, China, and several other countries.

Iadademstat is currently being studied in combination with PD-L1 inhibitors such as atezolizumab or durvalumab for first-line treatment of SCLC patients with extensive disease. This Phase I/II trial is being conducted and sponsored by the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI) under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with Oryzon. The study involves more than 30 sites across the United States, including leading cancer research centers such as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins, City of Hope, Yale University, and the University of Chicago.

The European Patent Office has also issued a Decision to Grant for Oryzon’s patent application EP24205125.8, titled “Vafidemstat for treating behavior alterations.” This patent covers the use of vafidemstat to address aggressiveness and social withdrawal related to CNS disorders. Among the approved claims are those for treating aggressiveness in conditions like Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as claims covering the treatment of social withdrawal in disorders such as schizophrenia and ASD. Once granted, the European patent will remain in effect until at least 2038, excluding any possible extensions. Other patents in this family have already been granted or allowed in jurisdictions including Europe, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Israel, South Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Russia, with additional applications pending elsewhere.

Vafidemstat is in advanced clinical development for psychiatric disorders. A Phase III trial for aggression in BPD is planned, with the protocol already submitted, while a Phase II trial for aggression in ASD patients is being prepared. Additionally, an ongoing Phase II trial in schizophrenia is focusing on negative symptoms, such as social withdrawal, which remains a significant unmet need for patients.

According to Neus Virgili, Oryzon’s Chief IP Officer, these new patent decisions enhance Oryzon’s global intellectual property strategy by protecting essential therapeutic uses for iadademstat and vafidemstat. This expanded protection strengthens the company’s position in oncology and CNS drug development while potentially extending the commercial life of both compounds.