Methods to Prevent SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Treat COVID-19
Summary
The European Patent Office published patent application EP4132967A2 for the University of Florida Research Foundation, covering methods and compositions to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection and treat COVID-19. The patent claims specific methods using compositions classified under A61K 31/135, C07K 16/10, C12N 15/50, C07K 14/165, and A61K 39/215. This patent designation extends to all EPO member states including Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, and 24 additional countries.
What changed
The EPO published patent EP4132967A2, filed by the University of Florida Research Foundation, claiming methods to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection and treat COVID-19. The patent covers specific pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment using antibodies (C07K 16/10), spike proteins (C07K 14/165), coronavirus antigens (A61K 39/215), and related small molecule therapeutics (A61K 31/135). Inventors include David A. Ostrov, Leah R. Reznikov, Michael Norris, and Ashley Nicole Brown. The application is classified under A61P 31/14 (antivirals for treatment of COVID-19).
Entities developing COVID-19 therapeutics or vaccines should conduct freedom-to-operate analyses to assess potential patent infringement risks in European markets. The patent holder has exclusive rights to practice the claimed methods within EPO-designated states. No immediate compliance actions are required, but pharmaceutical companies should review this patent when planning EU commercialization strategies for coronavirus-related products.
What to do next
- Conduct freedom-to-operate analysis for COVID-19 therapeutic products intended for EU markets
- Review patent claims for potential licensing or design-around opportunities
- Monitor for opposition period if seeking to challenge patent validity
Source document (simplified)
METHODS TO PREVENT SARS-COV-2 INFECTION AND TREAT COVID-19
Publication EP4132967A2 Kind: A2 Mar 25, 2026
Applicants
University of Florida Research Foundation,
Incorporated
Inventors
OSTROV, David A., REZNIKOV, Leah R., NORRIS, Michael, BROWN, Ashley Nicole
IPC Classifications
A61K 31/135 20060101AFI20240410BHEP C07K 16/10 20060101ALI20240410BHEP C12N 15/50 20060101ALI20240410BHEP C07K 14/165 20060101ALI20240410BHEP A61K 39/215 20060101ALI20240410BHEP A61P 31/14 20060101ALI20240410BHEP
Designated States
AL, AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HR, HU, IE, IS, IT, LI, LT, LU, LV, MC, MK, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SI, SK, SM, TR
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