MediciNova Receives Notice of Allowance for New Patent Covering Use of MN-166 in Combination with Anti-PD-1 Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor for Glioblastoma Treatment
Rhea-AI Summary
MediciNova (NASDAQ:MNOV) announced a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Notice of Allowance for a patent covering ibudilast (MN-166) combined with anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitors for glioblastoma treatment. The allowed claims span multiple dosing parameters, and the patent, once issued, is expected to expire no earlier than September 2042.
Positive
- U.S. patent allowance for MN-166 plus anti-PD-1 in glioblastoma
- Patent coverage, once issued, expected to last until at least September 2042
- Claims cover multiple anti-PD-1 antibodies and broad treatment conditions
- Strengthens intellectual property supporting MN-166 glioblastoma combination strategy
Negative
- Patent is at Notice of Allowance stage and not yet issued
News Market Reaction – MNOV
In the Jun 8 session, MNOV declined 0.76%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | 24h Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 26 | Phase 2 trial update | Positive | -2.9% | Completed last patient last visit in MN-001 Phase 2 hypertriglyceridemia trial. |
| Apr 27 | Preclinical study data | Positive | -0.7% | Peer-reviewed study showed ibudilast targeting MIF–CD74 in brain metastasis models. |
| Mar 16 | Investor conference | Positive | +5.9% | Participation in 38th Annual ROTH Conference for investor meetings and updates. |
| Jan 29 | ALS EAP enrollment | Positive | -1.7% | Reported 100 patients enrolled in NIH-funded SEANOBI ALS expanded-access program. |
| Jan 6 | Corporate outlook | Neutral | +0.0% | CEO New Year letter outlining 2025 clinical progress and 2026 milestones. |
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Recent MNOV news — including clinical and translational updates — often saw flat to negative next-day moves, even on seemingly positive developments.
Over the last six months, MediciNova has reported steady clinical and translational progress around MN‑166 and MN‑001. Key updates include completion of last patient last visit in a Phase 2 MN‑001 trial (May 26, 2026, move -2.92%) and positive preclinical brain metastasis data for ibudilast (Apr 27, 2026, -0.73%). Corporate and pipeline communications like conference participation (Mar 16, 2026, +5.93%) and ALS expanded‑access milestones have produced mixed price reactions. Today’s patent allowance adds to MN‑166’s intellectual property alongside these prior oncology and neurology efforts.
Key Terms
immune checkpoint inhibitor medical
anti-pd-1 antibody medical
glioblastoma medical
dosing regimen medical
route of administration medical
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
LA JOLLA, Calif., June 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MediciNova, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company traded on the NASDAQ Global Market (NASDAQ:MNOV) and the Standard Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (Code Number: 4875), today announced that it has received a Notice of Allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a pending patent application that covers the use of ibudilast (MN-166) in combination with an immune checkpoint inhibitor, specifically an anti-PD-1 antibody, for the treatment of glioblastoma. This patent allowance is expected to further strengthen the intellectual property position supporting the Company’s combination therapy development strategy.
Kazuko Matsuda, MD, PhD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer of MediciNova, Inc., commented, “This Notice of Allowance further strengthens our intellectual property estate for MN-166 in glioblastoma and supports continued evaluation of ibudilast-based combination strategies in this aggressive malignancy. The allowed claims encompass use in combination with anti-PD-1 antibodies across multiple treatment parameters, including dosing regimen, route of administration, and duration of therapy, which we believe is strategically important as we continue to assess the potential clinical utility of MN-166 in oncology. Given the persistent unmet need in glioblastoma, we believe this patent position provides important support for the ongoing development of rational combination approaches intended to improve therapeutic outcomes.”
Once issued, this patent is expected to expire no earlier than September 2042. The allowed claims cover not only the combination of ibudilast with multiple anti-PD-1 antibodies, but also a broad range of treatment conditions, including duration of administration, dosing frequency, route of administration, dose levels, and dosing schedules.
About MN-166 (ibudilast)
MN-166 (ibudilast) is a small molecule compound that inhibits phosphodiesterase type-4 (PDE4) and inflammatory cytokines, including macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF). 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 (ibudilast) was evaluated in patients that are at risk for developing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
About MediciNova
MediciNova, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a broad late-stage pipeline of novel small molecule therapies for inflammatory, fibrotic, and neurodegenerative diseases. Based on two compounds, MN-166 (ibudilast) and MN-001 (tipelukast), with multiple mechanisms of action and strong safety profiles, MediciNova has numerous programs in clinical development. MediciNova’s lead asset, MN-166 (ibudilast), is currently in Phase 3 for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) and is Phase 3-ready for progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). MN-166 (ibudilast) is also being evaluated in Phase 2 trials in Long COVID and substance dependence. MN-001 (tipelukast) was evaluated in a Phase 2 trial in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and a second Phase 2 trial in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is ongoing. MediciNova has a strong track record of securing investigator-sponsored clinical trials funded through government grants.
Statements in this press release that are not historical in nature constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the future development and efficacy of MN-166 and MN-001. These forward-looking statements may be preceded by, followed by, or otherwise include the words "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "can," "could," "may," "will," "would," “considering,” “planning” or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, risks of obtaining future partner or grant funding for development of MN-166 and MN-001, and risks of raising sufficient capital when needed to fund MediciNova's operations and contribution to clinical development, risks and uncertainties inherent in clinical trials, including the potential cost, expected timing and risks associated with clinical trials designed to meet FDA guidance and the viability of further development considering these factors, product development and commercialization risks, the uncertainty of whether the results of clinical trials will be predictive of results in later stages of product development, the risk of delays or failure to obtain or maintain regulatory approval, risks associated with the reliance on third parties to sponsor and fund clinical trials, risks regarding intellectual property rights in product candidates and the ability to defend and enforce such intellectual property rights, the risk of failure of the third parties upon whom MediciNova relies to conduct its clinical trials and manufacture its product candidates to perform as expected, the risk of increased cost and delays due to delays in the commencement, enrollment, completion or analysis of clinical trials or significant issues regarding the adequacy of clinical trial designs or the execution of clinical trials, and the timing of expected filings with the regulatory authorities, MediciNova's collaborations with third parties, the availability of funds to complete product development plans and MediciNova's ability to obtain third party funding for programs and raise sufficient capital when needed, and the other risks and uncertainties described in MediciNova's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 and its subsequent periodic reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. MediciNova disclaims any intent or obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements.
INVESTOR CONTACT:
David H. Crean, Ph.D.
Chief Business Officer
MediciNova, Inc
info@medicinova.com
