Combining Cyclosporine A and Steroids into a Single Hybrid Drug
A chemical method for linking cyclosporine A and steroid molecules into a single hybrid drug designed to treat eye conditions by releasing both components upon contact.
Original patent title: “Cyclosporine A steroid conjugates”
A chemical method for linking cyclosporine A and steroid molecules into a single hybrid drug designed to treat eye conditions by releasing both components upon contact. Granted to Allergan Inc in 2016 with 4 claims and 1 forward citation.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes a molecular hybrid that physically links a cyclosporine A molecule to a steroid molecule using a chemical bridge called a linker. The goal is to create a single drug entity that can be applied topically to the eye. Once applied, the body's natural enzymes or moisture cause the linker to break, releasing the two active drugs simultaneously to provide a combined therapeutic effect.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover the individual use of cyclosporine A or steroids as separate, non-linked medications.
- Does not cover any random combination of drugs that are not specifically linked via the described chemical structures.
- Does not cover delivery systems that use physical mixtures of drugs rather than a single covalently bonded molecule.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
The innovation lies in the specific chemical linker design that remains stable during storage but reliably cleaves upon exposure to the unique enzymatic environment of the eye.
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
Experimental hybrid drug formulations for ocular inflammation
Topical eye drop candidates for chronic dry eye disease
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This approach attempts to simplify complex treatment regimens for chronic eye conditions, such as dry eye or inflammation, by combining two potent drugs into one application. By creating a single hybrid molecule, researchers aim to improve patient compliance and potentially enhance the delivery efficiency of both drugs to the target tissue.
Filed
March 6, 2014
Granted
August 2, 2016
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Allergan, now part of AbbVie, has historically focused on ocular therapeutics and continues to explore advanced drug delivery mechanisms. Other pharmaceutical companies specializing in ophthalmology often monitor similar conjugation strategies to improve the bioavailability of hydrophobic drugs like cyclosporine.
Market impact
This patent represents an attempt to innovate within the mature market of ocular anti-inflammatories. By seeking to combine established drugs into a single entity, it aims to create proprietary, patentable formulations that could potentially extend the life cycle of existing therapeutic agents.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes a molecular hybrid that physically links a cyclosporine A molecule to a steroid molecule using a chemical bridge called a linker. The goal is to create a single drug entity that can be applied topically to the eye. Once applied, the body's natural enzymes or moisture cause the linker to break, releasing the two active drugs simultaneously to provide a combined therapeutic effect.
The clever bit
The innovation lies in the specific chemical linker design that remains stable during storage but reliably cleaves upon exposure to the unique enzymatic environment of the eye.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover the individual use of cyclosporine A or steroids as separate, non-linked medications.
- Does not cover any random combination of drugs that are not specifically linked via the described chemical structures.
- Does not cover delivery systems that use physical mixtures of drugs rather than a single covalently bonded molecule.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Limited data
Citation count
6/40
Early citations
Claim breadth
3/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
10/20
Granted 5–10 years ago
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
$90K – $288K
Midpoint $180K · 7.7 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.
The original legal language
Original claims
4 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Wang, L., Chow, K., Sinha, S. C., Attar, M., Swift, B. D., & Garst, M. E. (2016). Combining Cyclosporine A and Steroids into a Single Hybrid Drug (U.S. Patent No. 9,402,913). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9402913/sovaldi-sofosbuvir
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 Combining Cyclosporine A and Steroids into a Single Hybrid Drug cover?
A chemical method for linking cyclosporine A and steroid molecules into a single hybrid drug designed to treat eye conditions by releasing both components upon contact.
Who owns patent US 9402913?
Allergan Inc owns this patent, granted in 2016.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on August 2, 2036, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 9402913 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 1 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
This approach attempts to simplify complex treatment regimens for chronic eye conditions, such as dry eye or inflammation, by combining two potent drugs into one application. By creating a single hybrid molecule, researchers aim to improve patient compliance and potentially enhance the delivery efficiency of both drugs to the target tissue.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover the individual use of cyclosporine A or steroids as separate, non-linked medications.
Patent monitoring