Small molecule compounds for treating lung epithelial and vascular endothelial cell injury

ChangeBridge: Patent Grants - Therapeutics (A61P)

Published April 7th, 2026

Detected April 7th, 2026

Summary

USPTO granted patent US12594282B2 to Guangzhou Cellprotek Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. on April 7, 2026. The patent covers the use of 5α-androst-3β,5,6β-triol and analogues for treating pulmonary diseases mediated by lung epithelial cell injury and/or vascular endothelial cell injury. The compounds inhibit PFKFB3 expression and reduce vascular endothelial and alveolar epithelial cell injury.

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What changed

USPTO granted patent US12594282B2 to Guangzhou Cellprotek Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. covering the therapeutic use of 5α-androst-3β,5,6β-triol and its analogues for treating pulmonary diseases involving lung epithelial and vascular endothelial cell injury. The 11 granted claims describe methods of inhibiting PFKFB3 expression, reducing lactate accumulation, and treating conditions like alveolar damage and septum thickening.

For pharmaceutical manufacturers and biotech companies developing lung injury treatments, this patent establishes IP protection that may restrict the use of similar steroid-based compounds for pulmonary indications. Competitors will need to consider potential licensing arrangements or design-around strategies when developing related therapeutic candidates.

What to do next

Monitor for potential licensing opportunities
Review patent claims for freedom-to-operate analysis
Track for any patent challenges or reexaminations

Source document (simplified)

← USPTO Patent Grants

Use of small molecule compounds in the treatment of diseases mediated by lung epithelial cell injury and/or vascular endothelial cell injury

Grant US12594282B2 Kind: B2 Apr 07, 2026

Assignee

Guangzhou Cellprotek Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Inventors

Bingzheng Lu, Yupin Chen, Yana Wang, Jiayu Huang, Chunhui Huang, Jiesi Chen

Abstract

Disclosed is use of 5α-androst-3β,5,6β-triol or an analogue, a deuterated compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a pulmonary disease in a patient. These compounds can significantly inhibit the up-regulation of PFKFB3 expression, significantly inhibit the accumulation of lactate, significantly reduce vascular endothelial cell injury, significantly reduce alveolar epithelial cell injury, significantly inhibit alveolar septum thickening, significantly reduce alveolar damage, and thus can be used to treat diseases mediated by lung epithelial cell injury and/or vascular endothelial cell injury, such as in the lung.