Nanopharmaceutics wins U.S. patent for oral Triapine cancer formulations

Nanopharmaceutics said the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued a new patent covering oral Triapine formulations, manufacturing methods and cancer treatment uses. The patent adds to the company’s intellectual property around a lead program now being tested in glioblastoma and metastatic neuroendocrine tumors.

Why it matters: - The new patent strengthens Nanopharmaceutics’ intellectual property around Triapine, its lead cancer program. - The protection covers oral formulations and related manufacturing methods, which can support future development and commercialization. - Triapine is being studied in multiple active clinical trials, including glioblastoma and metastatic neuroendocrine tumors.

What happened: - Nanopharmaceutics announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued U.S. Patent No. 12,723,026, titled "Compositions and Methods for Oral Delivery of Crystalline Triapine." - The patent includes 30 claims covering oral formulations of Triapine, methods of manufacturing Triapine and uses of Triapine compositions to treat cancer. - The company said Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP served as patent counsel. - The announcement was made from Alachua, Florida, on Sept. 1, 2026.

The details: - Oral Triapine is in two active clinical studies with peptide receptor radionuclide therapy for metastatic neuroendocrine tumors. - Oral Triapine is also in two active clinical studies with temozolomide and radiation for glioblastoma. - The listed trials are NCT06410248, NCT06860594, NCT04234568 and NCT05724108. - Nanopharmaceutics said its patent portfolio includes multiple U.S. and international patents covering Triapine, PRX-3140 and NanoDOX Hydrogel, along with their clinical applications. - The company said four additional U.S. and international patent applications remain pending for oral formulations of Triapine, Ammonium Tetrathiomolybdate and PRX-3140. - Nanopharmaceutics named Harvard / Massachusetts General Hospital, Dartmouth Health, the University of Western Australia, Northwestern University and the National Cancer Institute as clinical partners.

Between the lines: - The patent adds legal protection around a formulation strategy, not just the drug candidate itself. - That can matter for a clinical-stage company because formulation patents may help extend the commercial runway if a drug advances. - The focus on oral delivery suggests Nanopharmaceutics is trying to broaden Triapine’s practical use beyond non-oral dosing approaches.

What's next: - Nanopharmaceutics is continuing clinical work on Triapine across brain cancer and neuroendocrine tumor programs. - The company also has additional patent applications pending that could expand coverage around other formulations and compounds. - Further progress will likely depend on clinical results and additional patent grants.

The bottom line: - Nanopharmaceutics added another layer of protection around Triapine just as the drug remains active in several cancer trials.