USPTO Patent Grant for Viral Infection Compounds Targeting Sigma Receptors

ChangeBridge: Patent Grants - Therapeutics (A61P)

Published March 24th, 2026

Detected March 24th, 2026

Summary

The USPTO has granted a patent (US12582619B2) to Thomas Jefferson University for compounds that modulate Sigma receptors to treat viral infections. The patent covers methods for preventing, treating, or ameliorating viral infections using these compounds, potentially in combination with other therapeutic agents.

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What changed

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued patent US12582619B2 to Thomas Jefferson University. This patent covers novel compounds, compositions, and methods for treating or ameliorating viral infections by targeting Sigma receptors, specifically Sigma-1 or Sigma-2 receptors. The disclosure highlights the potential of Sigma1 inhibitors/antagonists that induce ER stress or autophagy in disrupting virus lifecycles.

This patent grant is primarily relevant for research and development within the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors. While it does not impose immediate compliance obligations on regulated entities, it signifies a new intellectual property development in the therapeutic area of antiviral treatments. Companies involved in antiviral drug discovery and development should be aware of this patent for potential licensing, infringement considerations, or as a basis for further research.

Source document (simplified)

← USPTO Patent Grants

Compounds, compositions, and methods for treating or ameliorating, or preventing viral infections

Grant US12582619B2 Kind: B2 Mar 24, 2026

Assignee

Thomas Jefferson University

Inventors

Felix Jinhyun Kim, Holly Ramage

Abstract

The present disclosure relates, in certain embodiments, to the finding that certain compounds that modulate the activity(ies) of Sigma receptors can be used to disrupt virus lifecycle, infection, and/or dissemination. The compounds contemplated in the disclosure are useful in the prevention, treatment, and/or amelioration of virus infection, either alone or in combination with at least one additional therapeutic agent, which can be an antiviral agent and/or an agent that treats, ameliorates, and/or prevents one or more virus infection symptoms and/or co-morbidities. In certain embodiments, the Sigma receptor is a Sigma-1 receptor (also known as Sigma1) or Sigma-2 receptor (also known as Sigma2 or TMEM97). In certain embodiments, Sigma1 inhibitors/antagonists that cause and/or trigger ER stress and/or autophagy are useful within the methods of the disclosure.