Benzalkonium Chloride for Treating COVID-19 and Conjunctivitis
Summary
USPTO granted patent US12594251B2 to Bausch + Lomb Ireland Limited on April 7, 2026, covering methods of treating COVID-19 (including ocular manifestations) and conjunctivitis using benzalkonium chloride, as well as methods for reducing COVID-19 transmission using the compound. The patent, with inventors Patrick McCormick and Kimberly Millard, contains 40 claims and is classified under CPC codes A61K 31/14, A61P 27/02, and A61P 31/14.
What changed
USPTO granted a pharmaceutical patent covering benzalkonium chloride compositions and methods for treating coronavirus infections and conjunctivitis, including reducing COVID-19 transmission through ophthalmic administration. The patent (US12594251B2) provides intellectual property protection to Bausch + Lomb Ireland Limited for these therapeutic applications.
For pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare providers, this patent establishes IP rights that may affect competitive development of benzalkonium chloride-based COVID-19 or conjunctivitis treatments. Generic manufacturers and researchers should review the patent claims for potential licensing needs or freedom-to-operate analysis before developing similar products.
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Apr 7, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Benzalkonium chloride foruse in treating conjunctivitis and/or covid-19
Grant US12594251B2 Kind: B2 Apr 07, 2026
Assignee
Bausch + Lomb Ireland Limited
Inventors
Patrick McCormick, Kimberly Millard
Abstract
Methods for treating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), including at least one ocular manifestation of COVID-19, methods for treating conjunctivitis, and methods for reducing COVID-19 transmission comprising administering an effective amount of benzalkonium chloride are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising benzalkonium chloride are also disclosed.
CPC Classifications
A61K 31/14 A61P 27/02 A61P 31/14
Filing Date
2021-10-14
Application No.
18248841
Claims
40
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