# 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. - **Patent:** US 9402913 - **Original title:** Cyclosporine A steroid conjugates - **Owner:** Allergan Inc - **Granted:** 2016 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 1 - **Field:** biotech, pharmaceutical ## What it does 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. ## 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. ## 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. ## Real-world examples 1. Experimental hybrid drug formulations for ocular inflammation 2. Topical eye drop candidates for chronic dry eye disease ## Why it matters 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. ## 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. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9402913/sovaldi-sofosbuvir **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US9402913 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [How Polystyrene Sulfonate Helps Treat Dry Eye Symptoms](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/3987163/indomethacin) — A 1975 patent for an eye drop solution that uses a specific polymer to lubricate and cushion the eye, especially for contact lens wearers. - [Using Vitamin B12 to Help Proteins Survive the Human Digestive System](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/5574018/herceptin-trastuzumab) — A method for attaching therapeutic proteins to Vitamin B12 so they can be absorbed through the gut instead of being injected. - [How Special Sugars Make Medicines Dissolve Better](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/4727064/azt-zidovudine) — This patent describes how to make poorly water-soluble drugs dissolve and absorb better by mixing them with specially modified, non-crystalline sugar molecules called cyclodextrin derivatives. - [Improving Drug Delivery with Chemical Masks for Thiazolo-Pyrimidine Compounds](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7528115/eylea-aflibercept) — A patent describing modified chemical structures that act as dormant precursors, designed to be activated by the body to help treat viral infections like Hepatitis C. - [A Stable Recipe for a Cancer-Fighting Antibody Drug](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10391181/cyclodextrin-and-antibody-drug-conjugate-formulations) — This patent describes a specific, stable recipe for a cancer-fighting antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) that targets CD33, using cyclodextrin and a lyoprotectant to keep it effective and reduce impurities.