Ensifentrine Drug for Reducing COPD Flare-Ups
This patent describes using the drug ensifentrine to reduce how often and how severe flare-ups of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are in patients.
Original patent title: “Ensifentrine for decreasing the frequency/severity of COPD exacerbations”
This patent describes using the drug ensifentrine to reduce how often and how severe flare-ups of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are in patients. Granted in 2026.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent focuses on using the compound ensifentrine, or a similar salt form of it, to help patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Specifically, the invention aims to decrease the frequency and/or severity of COPD exacerbations. An exacerbation is a sudden worsening of COPD symptoms, like increased shortness of breath or coughing. For example, a patient with COPD who frequently experiences severe breathing crises could be given ensifentrine to make these events happen less often or be less intense when they do occur.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover using ensifentrine for treating other diseases not related to COPD.
- Does not cover using other drugs or compounds to treat COPD exacerbations.
- Does not cover preventing the initial development of COPD in a healthy individual.
- Does not cover ensifentrine for general, non-exacerbation related COPD symptom management, but specifically targets exacerbations.
- Does not cover different chemical structures or derivatives of ensifentrine that are not pharmaceutically acceptable salts.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The noveltynoveltyThe requirement that an invention be different from anything publicly known before its priority date.Read more → here lies in the specific application of ensifentrine for decreasing the frequency and severity of COPD exacerbations. While ensifentrine itself might be known, this patent highlights its particular utility in managing these acute worsening events, which are a critical aspect of COPD patient care.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Ensifentrine in clinical trials for COPD
Future ensifentrine-based medications for COPD exacerbation prevention
Why it matters
The bigger picture
COPD exacerbations are a major cause of hospitalizations and significantly reduce the quality of life for patients. A treatment that can effectively reduce the frequency and severity of these flare-ups would be highly valuable. This could lead to fewer emergency room visits, better overall health for patients, and a reduced burden on healthcare systems.
Filed
January 26, 2024
Granted
September 15, 2026
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Pharmaceutical companies involved in respiratory medicine research and development are actively exploring and building upon treatments for COPD. Companies like Verona Pharma, which is developing ensifentrine, are at the forefront of bringing such therapies to market. Their work involves conducting clinical trials and seeking regulatory approvals for new drug applications.
Market impact
If ensifentrine proves effective and gains regulatory approval, it could significantly impact the market for COPD treatments. It would offer a new therapeutic option specifically aimed at reducing the debilitating effects of exacerbations, potentially shifting treatment guidelines. This could lead to a new product line for the developing pharmaceutical company and provide a competitive edge in the respiratory drug market.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent focuses on using the compound ensifentrine, or a similar salt form of it, to help patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Specifically, the invention aims to decrease the frequency and/or severity of COPD exacerbations. An exacerbation is a sudden worsening of COPD symptoms, like increased shortness of breath or coughing. For example, a patient with COPD who frequently experiences severe breathing crises could be given ensifentrine to make these events happen less often or be less intense when they do occur.
The clever bit
The novelty here lies in the specific application of ensifentrine for decreasing the frequency and severity of COPD exacerbations. While ensifentrine itself might be known, this patent highlights its particular utility in managing these acute worsening events, which are a critical aspect of COPD patient care.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover using ensifentrine for treating other diseases not related to COPD.
- Does not cover using other drugs or compounds to treat COPD exacerbations.
- Does not cover preventing the initial development of COPD in a healthy individual.
- Does not cover ensifentrine for general, non-exacerbation related COPD symptom management, but specifically targets exacerbations.
- Does not cover different chemical structures or derivatives of ensifentrine that are not pharmaceutically acceptable salts.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$36K – $115K
Midpoint $72K · 17.3 yr remaining · industry ×3.0
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
Concepts involved
Cite this patent
(2026). Ensifentrine Drug for Reducing COPD Flare-Ups (U.S. Patent No. 12,734,139). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12734139/ensifentrine-for-decreasing-the-frequencyseverity-of-copd-exacerbations
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Ensifentrine Drug for Reducing COPD Flare-Ups cover?
This patent describes using the drug ensifentrine to reduce how often and how severe flare-ups of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are in patients.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on September 15, 2046, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
COPD exacerbations are a major cause of hospitalizations and significantly reduce the quality of life for patients. A treatment that can effectively reduce the frequency and severity of these flare-ups would be highly valuable. This could lead to fewer emergency room visits, better overall health for patients, and a reduced burden on healthcare systems.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover using ensifentrine for treating other diseases not related to COPD.
Patent monitoring