The patent is a part of patent portfolio owned by the University of Southampton, which is exclusively licensed to Synairgen.
Using in vitro human models, it was discovered that local delivery of IFN-beta to the lungs could limit the spread of virus to lungs in subjects with respiratory disease and the consequent worsening of their symptoms.
Synairgen has entered into a supply and license agreement for a patent-protected formulation of IFN-beta from the Rentschler Group in Germany.
Synairgen CEO Richard Marsden said the Japanese patent protects a significant market and complements their US and European patents.