US based RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage drug development company focused on tissue protection, repair and regeneration, reported that the Korean Intellectual Property Office has issued a new patent to the Henry Ford Health System (HFHS) for a Thymosin beta 4 (Tβ4) composition for reducing diabetic-induced vascular dysfunction. Tβ4 is the active pharmaceutical ingredient in RegeneRx's proprietary drug candidate, RGN-352, a first-in-class injectable formulation designed for systemic administration for tissue regeneration and repair. 

RegeneRx in-licensed the intellectual property relating to the use of Tβ4 for this indication from HFHS in Detroit, MI based on work performed by Dr. Michael Chopp and his colleagues under a Material Transfer Agreement.  The patent will expire in December of 2032.

According to the Diabetes & Metabolism Journal, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasing in Korea and has escalated from 1.5% to 9.9% [approximately 5.1 million people] over the last four decades. Major outcomes of the progression of T2DM include chronic complications that decrease quality of life (QoL), incur heavy burdens on the healthcare system, and increase diabetic mortality.  Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is the most common complication associated with diabetes and it is estimated that 30% to 50% of diabetes patients are affected by this disorder.