# 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. - **Patent:** US RE50301 - **Original title:** USRE50301E1 - Depot systems comprising glatiramer or pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof - **Owner:** Mapi Pharma Ltd - **Granted:** 2025 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 0 - **Field:** biotech, pharmaceutical ## What it does 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. ## 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. ## 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. ## Real-world examples 1. Experimental long-acting glatiramer acetate depot injections 2. Slow-release polymer-based drug delivery systems for autoimmune diseases ## Why it matters 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. ## 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. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/RE50301/temperature-controlled-mug **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/USRE50301 --- _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: - [Using Dimethyl Fumarate to Treat Multiple Sclerosis](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8399514/gilenya-fingolimod) — A patent detailing the specific daily dosage of 480mg of dimethyl fumarate for treating multiple sclerosis to protect nerve cells. - [How to Make Pill Coatings That Keep Medicine Stable Over Time](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/5639476/nicoderm-nicotine-patch) — A method for coating pills with a specific plasticized acrylic polymer that ensures the medicine releases at a steady, predictable rate, even after sitting on a shelf for months. - [Making Drug Proteins Last Longer and Target Diseases Better](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20190160160/methods-to-treat-diseases-with-protein-peptide-and-antigen-modification) — This patent describes ways to make protein and peptide drugs stay in the body longer and target specific diseases like autoimmune conditions or cancer more precisely by linking them together or combining them with other molecules. - [How to Keep High-Concentration Antibody Medicines Stable in Liquid Form](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7740842/herceptin-adjuvant-therapy) — Novartis's patent describes a specific liquid recipe for keeping high concentrations of E25 anti-IgE antibodies stable and usable for medical injections. - [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.