Shinshin Pharmaceutical Registers European Patent for Patch-Type Insomnia Treatment Technology

Shinshin Pharmaceutical recently commenced Phase 1 clinical trials of the insomnia treatment ‘SS-262’ in South Korea and has succeeded in establishing a technological entry barrier through the acquisition of a global patent. The transdermal drug delivery platform company Shinshin Pharmaceutical announced on the 11th that its insomnia treatment-related technology has been granted a patent by the European Patent Office.

The newly registered patent pertains to the technology of a ‘transdermal absorption formulation for the treatment of sleep disorders.’ The patent focuses on maximizing the drug delivery effect of a transdermal absorption formulation containing the active ingredient ‘melatonin,’ which is effective in treating insomnia patients. Shinshin Pharmaceutical plans to accelerate the development of the world’s first transdermal insomnia treatment SS-262 by applying its secured proprietary technology.

Shinshin Pharmaceutical has been building entry barriers for the technology secured during the development of insomnia treatments through patents. In February last year, the company obtained two domestic patents related to insomnia treatments. Subsequently, it succeeded in registering patents in China and has also filed a patent application in the United States.

Using the recent acquisition of a European unitary patent as a milestone, Shinshin Pharmaceutical intends to accelerate its entry into the global insomnia treatment market. The newly established European unitary patent system allows for patent registration across all contracting states of the European Patent Convention at once. A total of 17 countries belonging to the European Union (EU), including France, Germany, and Italy, participate in the European unitary patent system.

The insomnia treatment market is growing primarily in developed countries. According to the global market research firm ResearchAndMarkets, the worldwide insomnia treatment market is expected to expand from $3.68 billion (approximately 5 trillion KRW) last year to $6.94 billion (approximately 10 trillion KRW) by 2034.

A Shinshin Pharmaceutical representative stated, “Following domestic and Chinese patents last year, the recent acquisition of the European patent has successfully demonstrated our differentiated technological capabilities related to insomnia treatments externally. Through the European patent registration, we have not only expanded exports of existing insomnia treatments overseas but also laid the foundation for exporting the improved new drug currently undergoing clinical trials.”

He added, “Along with expanding exports, we will accelerate the development of SS-262, which applies TDDS (transdermal drug delivery system) technology to maximize efficacy compared to existing treatments.”