Diffusion Pharmaceuticals Receives European Patent Related Compositions of TSC

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Feb. 07, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Diffusion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: DFFN) (“Diffusion” or “the Company”), a cutting-edge biotechnology company developing new treatments for life-threatening medical conditions by improving the body’s ability to bring oxygen to the areas where it is needed most, today announced that it has been granted Patent Number EP2540696 B1 from the European Patent Office. This patent relates to pharmaceutical compositions of trans sodium crocetinate (“TSC”) and a cyclodextrin for use in therapy.  Specifically claimed are TSC compositions are for use in conjunction with radiation or chemotherapy.  Secondary claims relate to various compositions of TSC.

“The intellectual property described under our newly-granted European patent is quite broad and provides strong protection for our lead compound TSC,” said David Kalergis, Chief Executive Officer of Diffusion Pharmaceuticals. “This patent has claims to TSC compositions for use in therapy generally and has claims to compositions for use in treating brain cancer. We believe this patent not only improves the opportunity for partnerships in the GBM indication, it may improve the attractiveness of our lead compound by providing additional avenues for clinical development,” added Mr. Kalergis.

About Diffusion Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Diffusion Pharmaceuticals Inc. is an innovative biotechnology company developing new treatments that improve the body’s ability to bring oxygen to the areas where it is needed most, offering new hope for the treatment of life-threatening medical conditions.

Diffusion’s lead drug TSC was originally developed in conjunction with the Office of Naval Research, which was seeking a way to treat hemorrhagic shock caused by massive blood loss on the battlefield.

Evolutions in research have led to Diffusion’s focus today: Fueling Life by taking on some of medicine’s most intractable and difficult-to-treat diseases, including stroke and GBM brain cancer. In each of these diseases, hypoxia – oxygen deprivation of essential tissue in the body – has proved to be a significant obstacle for medical providers and is the target for TSC’s novel mechanism.

In July 2019 the Company reported favorable safety data in a 19-patient dose-escalation run-in study to its Phase 3 INTACT program, using TSC to target inoperable GBM. Further findings from the dose-escalation run-in study, released in December 2019, also showed possible signals of enhanced survival and patient performance. Diffusion’s on-ambulance PHAST-TSC trial for acute stroke has begun patient enrollment. In addition, preclinical data supports the potential for TSC as a treatment for other conditions where hypoxia plays a major role, such as myocardial infarction, respiratory diseases such as COPD, peripheral artery disease, and neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.