Polypeptides Mimicking SP-C/SP-B Surfactant for RDS Treatment

CHIESI FARMACEUTICI S.p.A. has been granted a US patent for a novel class of synthetic polypeptides combining structural properties of both SP-C and SP-B human lung surfactant proteins, along with reconstituted surfactant compositions and pharmaceutical formulations. The invention is specifically directed to treating or preventing neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and acute RDS in patients. The patent, filed January 26, 2021, contains 30 claims and names Tore Curstedt and Jan Johansson as co-inventors.

For CHIESI, the patent provides enforceable intellectual property protection that may exclude competitors from developing similar recombinant surfactant protein mimics for a defined period. Competitors engaged in synthetic pulmonary surfactant development should conduct freedom-to-operate analyses to assess potential infringement exposure given the broad claim scope covering both SP-C and SP-B functional mimics.