ABVC BioPharma obtains patent for MDD treatment in Taiwan

ABVC BioPharma has obtained a patent in Taiwan for the use of PDC-1421 in ABV-1504, an asset that treats major depressive disorder (MDD).

PDC-1421 is an extract of Radix Polygala.

In April 2023, the company received a patent for the same treatment in the US.

Data from the latest studies showed that PDC-1421 should be given orally as a capsule for a minimum of 25 days. Doses ranged from once to three times per day.

ABVC CEO Dr Uttam Patil stated: “These patents grant ABVC the right to exclude others from using, offering or selling PDC-1421 throughout the US and Taiwan until the year 2040.

“As our patent map steps into global coverage, we eagerly await the results of patent applications in the European Union, China, Japan and more.”

ABV-1504 is an inhibitor of norepinephrine transporter.

The company has concluded Phase II clinical trials of ABV-1504 containing PDC-1421 and intends to commence an End of Phase II (EOP II) meeting with the Food and Drug Administration.

A clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, ABVC BioPharma currently has six assets in its pipeline.

The company leverages an in-licensed [a process in which a company acquires the rights to a product, technology, or intellectual property from another organisation] technology to carry out proof-of-concept studies of these drug products through their Phase II clinical development stage.

In August 2023, the company reported that 53 participants completed an eight-week study for its Phase IIb clinical trial of PDC-1421 capsules for treating ADHD – adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

The randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial is designed to assess the safety and efficacy of the capsules in 100 subjects in the US and Taiwan.