Phenylethynyl-thiophene compounds for treating degenerative disorders

ChangeBridge: Patent Grants - Therapeutics (A61P)

Published March 31st, 2026

Detected March 31st, 2026

Summary

The USPTO granted patent US12589090B2 to Aquilus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. covering phenylethynyl-thiophene compounds that inhibit caspase 3 for treating degenerative disorders including ALS, Huntington's disease, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease. The patent claims 2 compounds and methods for their use.

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What changed

The USPTO granted patent US12589090B2 on March 31, 2026, covering a class of phenylethynyl-thiophene compounds designed to inhibit and/or attenuate apoptosis via caspase 3. The patent lists Irving Sucholeiki as inventor and Aquilus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. as assignee. The compounds are directed toward treating degenerative disorders including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease, epilepsy, spinal cord injury, diabetes complications, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, Parkinson's disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and Alzheimer's disease.

Pharmaceutical companies and drug developers researching caspase inhibitors or treatments for the specified degenerative disorders should review this patent for potential freedom-to-operate concerns or licensing opportunities. The patent has no compliance deadlines or regulatory requirements; it represents an intellectual property grant rather than a regulatory obligation.

What to do next

Review patent claims for freedom-to-operate implications if developing caspase inhibitors or therapies for specified degenerative disorders
Consider potential licensing opportunities with Aquilus Pharmaceuticals if the technology is relevant to your pipeline

Source document (simplified)

← USPTO Patent Grants

Compounds and methods for the treatment of degenerative disorders

Grant US12589090B2 Kind: B2 Mar 31, 2026

Assignee

Aquilus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Inventors

Irving Sucholeiki

Abstract

The present disclosure relates generally to alkyne containing pharmaceutical agents, and in particular, to phenylethynyl-thiophene based compounds. More particularly, the present disclosure provides a class of compounds that can inhibit and/or attenuate apoptosis via caspase 3 for the treatment of various degenerative disorders. Additionally, the present disclosure relates to methods for treating specific degenerative disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Huntington's disease, epilepsy, spinal cord injury, complication due to diabetes, multiple sclerosis (MS), muscular dystrophy (MD), Parkinson's disease (PD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) in a patient comprising administering to the patient an effective amount of a present compound.