– Patent covers 38 European countries –

– Rencofilstat exclusivity may extend into 2048 –

EDISON, NJ, March 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hepion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. HEPAa clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of therapeutic drugs through artificial intelligence (“AI”) for the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (“NASH”), fibrotic diseases, hepatocellular carcinoma (“HCC”) and other chronic diseases, announced today that the European Patent Office (“EPO”) has granted European Patent No. EP 3886813, covering the innovative formulation of Rencofilstat, Hepion’s lead cyclophilin inhibitor.

The newly granted European patent also significantly extends Hepion’s patent exclusivity period for Rencofilstat. The Company’s original portfolio of composition patents, which includes 52 patents issued in all major markets around the world, is expected to provide exclusivity through 2036. The newly granted rights, which will cover 38 European countries, are expected to extend the drug candidate’s patent life by approximately eight years to 2044. Additional filings are also underway to potentially extend the exclusivity of compositions of matter and manufacturing processes to 2048. In addition to the indications covered in the original composition patents (viral, cardiovascular, neurological and inflammatory diseases), Hepion has also filed various method of use patent applications covering a variety of additional indications (fibrosis, cancer and thrombosis).

Robert Foster, PharmD, PhD, Hepion’s Chief Executive Officer, stated: “Rencofilstat is very difficult to formulate due to the physicochemical properties of the molecule. Nonetheless, it recognizes its potential to address a number of significant unmet medical needs. As a variety of indications continues to grow among researchers and drug developers in global markets, it is important that this opportunity is well protected.