How to Make Long-Lasting Injections for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment
A patent for a slow-release version of the MS drug glatiramer acetate, designed to be injected once every week to six months instead of daily.
Original patent title: “USRE50301E1 - Depot systems comprising glatiramer or pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof”
A patent for a slow-release version of the MS drug glatiramer acetate, designed to be injected once every week to six months instead of daily. Granted to Mapi Pharma Ltd in 2025 with 39 claims.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes a way to package the drug glatiramer acetate—commonly used for multiple sclerosis—into a 'depot' form. Instead of the drug being absorbed by the body all at once, it is trapped inside a carrier material, such as biodegradable microspheres made of polymers like PLGA. This allows the medication to be released slowly into the patient's system over a period ranging from one week to six months. By using a double-emulsification process, the drug is kept in an internal phase that gradually leaks out, aiming to maintain therapeutic levels in the blood without the need for daily injections.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover the chemical structure of glatiramer acetate itself, which is a known drug.
- Does not cover immediate-release formulations that are injected daily.
- Does not cover non-depot delivery methods like oral pills or intravenous drips.
- Does not cover specific medical devices or needles used to deliver the injection.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
The innovation lies in stabilizing a complex mixture of amino acids (glatiramer) within a polymer matrix to ensure it releases steadily over months without degrading or losing its therapeutic effectiveness.
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 long-acting glatiramer acetate depot injections
Slow-release polymer-based drug delivery systems for autoimmune diseases
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Glatiramer acetate is a standard treatment for multiple sclerosis, but it traditionally requires painful daily injections. This patent represents a significant effort to improve patient compliance and quality of life by reducing the frequency of dosing. If successful, it could shift the market standard from daily self-administration to infrequent clinical visits.
Filed
August 24, 2022
Granted
February 18, 2025
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Mapi Pharma is the primary entity behind this technology, focusing on converting existing daily drugs into long-acting versions. The broader field of depot-based drug delivery is also being explored by major pharmaceutical companies looking to extend the patent life of their existing injectable therapies.
Market impact
This technology targets the 'patient burden' associated with daily injections for chronic conditions. By potentially reducing the frequency of administration, it creates a competitive advantage for pharmaceutical companies seeking to differentiate their products in the crowded multiple sclerosis treatment market.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes a way to package the drug glatiramer acetate—commonly used for multiple sclerosis—into a 'depot' form. Instead of the drug being absorbed by the body all at once, it is trapped inside a carrier material, such as biodegradable microspheres made of polymers like PLGA. This allows the medication to be released slowly into the patient's system over a period ranging from one week to six months. By using a double-emulsification process, the drug is kept in an internal phase that gradually leaks out, aiming to maintain therapeutic levels in the blood without the need for daily injections.
The clever bit
The innovation lies in stabilizing a complex mixture of amino acids (glatiramer) within a polymer matrix to ensure it releases steadily over months without degrading or losing its therapeutic effectiveness.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover the chemical structure of glatiramer acetate itself, which is a known drug.
- Does not cover immediate-release formulations that are injected daily.
- Does not cover non-depot delivery methods like oral pills or intravenous drips.
- Does not cover specific medical devices or needles used to deliver the injection.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Moderate
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
20/20
Very broad protection
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
$108K – $346K
Midpoint $216K · 16.2 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
39 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Rubnov, S., & Marom, E. (2025). How to Make Long-Lasting Injections for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment (U.S. Patent No. RE50,301). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/RE50301/temperature-controlled-mug
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 How to Make Long-Lasting Injections for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment cover?
A patent for a slow-release version of the MS drug glatiramer acetate, designed to be injected once every week to six months instead of daily.
Who owns patent US RE50301?
Mapi Pharma Ltd owns this patent, granted in 2025.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on February 18, 2045, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
Glatiramer acetate is a standard treatment for multiple sclerosis, but it traditionally requires painful daily injections. This patent represents a significant effort to improve patient compliance and quality of life by reducing the frequency of dosing. If successful, it could shift the market standard from daily self-administration to infrequent clinical visits.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover the chemical structure of glatiramer acetate itself, which is a known drug.
Patent monitoring