JENKINTOWN, PA — SFA Therapeutics has secured a new U.S. patent covering a class of modified short-chain fatty acid compounds, strengthening intellectual property protection around its drug development platform and potentially extending exclusivity for future therapies into the 2040s.
The company said U.S. Patent No. 12,622,885, issued on May 12, covers deuterated versions of short-chain fatty acid compounds and their therapeutic applications. According to SFA, the patent provides protection through 2044 and supports the classification of future products as new chemical entities.
The patent is significant because it expands the company’s ability to protect potential treatments for autoimmune diseases, cancer, and other inflammatory conditions from generic competition if those therapies reach the market.
SFA’s drug-development strategy centers on modifying naturally occurring short-chain fatty acids through deuteration, a chemical process that replaces hydrogen atoms with deuterium to potentially alter a drug’s properties and create patentable compounds.
The newly issued patent adds to a growing intellectual property portfolio that the company says now includes six U.S. patents and 13 foreign patents across multiple jurisdictions, including Europe, Japan, Canada, Australia, South Korea, and the United Kingdom.
According to the company, its issued patents cover both chemical compositions and therapeutic applications across several disease areas, including liver disease, hepatocellular carcinoma, psoriasis, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, cancer, and autoimmune disorders.
SFA also reported having more than 30 pending patent applications related to formulation and manufacturing technologies.
For biotechnology companies, patent protection often represents a critical commercial asset because it can provide years of market exclusivity and help attract investment, licensing partners, and acquisition interest.
Shawn Patrick O’Brien, chairman of SFA Therapeutics, said the latest patent strengthens the company’s position as it advances toward commercialization.
“With 19 patents issued, and over 30 patents pending, we will continue to expand the patent portfolio for this unique platform,” O’Brien said.
SFA did not disclose the development stage of specific drug candidates covered by the newly issued patent or provide timelines for potential regulatory submissions.
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