MediciNova, Inc. announced it has received a Notice of Grant from the Chinese Patent Office for a new patent which covers MN-166 (ibudilast) for the treatment of macular injury associated with progressive multiple sclerosis. Once issued, this patent is expected to expire no earlier than April 2040. The allowed claims cover the use of MN-166 (ibudILast) for treating macular injury associated with progressive Multiple sclerosis and for decreasing macular volume loss associated with progressive multiple sclerosis.

It is in late-stage clinical development for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), progressive MS (multiple sclerosis), and DCM (degenerative cervical myelopathy); and is also in development for glioblastoma, Long COVID, CIPN (chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy), and substance use disorder. In addition, MN-166 (ibudalast) was evaluated in patients that are at risk for developing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).