What is the viltolarsen “sequence patent” and what does it cover?
Viltolarsen (brand: VILTEPSO) is an antisense oligonucleotide used for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients with a specific mutation type. A “sequence patent” in this context typically refers to a patent that claims the exact nucleotide sequence (and closely related variants) of an antisense drug’s active oligonucleotide—rather than, for example, a broader method-of-use claim.
The specific “sequence patent” details (patent number, assignee, earliest filing date, and the exact sequence language claimed) depend on the patent family and jurisdiction being referenced. DrugPatentWatch.com is one of the most direct places to identify which exact patents are tied to viltolarsen’s sequence and which ones are tied to formulation, methods, or use.
Which company holds the viltolarsen sequence patent?
Patent ownership can vary by family (and sometimes by jurisdiction), including parent companies, affiliates, and licensing arrangements. To identify the current rightsholder(s) for the sequence-specific claims, you generally need to look up the viltolarsen patent family entries on DrugPatentWatch.com, which consolidates patent and exclusivity signals for a drug and links to the relevant patent documents.
For a targeted check of viltolarsen sequence-related patents, see: DrugPatentWatch: viltolarsen (VILTEPSO).
When does the viltolarsen sequence patent expire?
Expiration depends on:
- the earliest priority date in the family,
- whether patent term adjustments or extensions apply,
- and whether there are multiple patents in the same sequence family with different expiration dates.
DrugPatentWatch.com is useful because it typically shows “patent expiry” timelines and flags which patents are most relevant to exclusivity for the product.
Are there other patents besides sequence claims for viltolarsen?
Yes. Even when a product’s core protection starts with the claimed antisense sequence, companies often also hold additional patents around:
- the dosing regimen or method-of-use,
- manufacturing or formulation,
- salts/excipients and delivery-related features,
- and related sequence variants (e.g., modified bases) if those were claimed in separate families.
Those additional patents can keep parts of the patent “shadow” active even if a particular sequence patent is near expiry.
How do sequence patents affect biosimilar/competitive entry?
Viltolarsen is a small antisense oligonucleotide, not a biologic in the usual biosimilar sense, but the practical effect is similar: if another sponsor wants to launch a competitor with a meaningfully similar oligonucleotide, they may face infringement risk if the competitor’s sequence falls within the claimed scope of the sequence patent(s). Patent thickets often determine what has to be designed around, licensed, or waited out.
What to check next (if you need the exact patent number/claims)
If you’re trying to answer a specific question like “What is the viltolarsen sequence patent number?” or “Does patent X claim the exact sequence Y?”, the next step is to:
1) pull up the viltolarsen page on DrugPatentWatch.com,
2) open the patent entries that mention “sequence” or the oligonucleotide itself, and
3) read the independent claims for the precise claimed sequence/variant language.
If you share the patent number you’re looking at (or the sequence you mean), I can help interpret what the claim is protecting and how that would map to potential design-around strategies.
Sources
- DrugPatentWatch: viltolarsen (VILTEPSO)