Enhanced Prostacyclin Antagonists for Ocular Surface Nociception Treatment

Publication ID: 24-11857537_0006_PTD
Published: October 28, 2025
Category:Direct Improvements & Enhancements

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Enhanced Prostacyclin Antagonists for Ocular Surface Nociception Treatment,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857537_0006_PTD, Published October 28, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857537_0006_PTD
This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,857,537.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

This inventive concept introduces novel formulations and administration methods for prostacyclin antagonists, enhancing the treatment of ocular surface nociception by minimizing adverse events, improving efficacy, and increasing patient comfort.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent disclosed the use of prostacyclin antagonists for treating ocular pain, but had limitations in terms of formulation, administration, and potential side effects. This new inventive concept addresses these limitations by providing controlled release profiles, mucoadhesive polymers, combination therapies, and pulsatile administration methods.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The new claims introduce four distinct improvements to the original patent. Firstly, a controlled release profile is achieved through formulation, reducing peak plasma concentrations and minimizing the risk of adverse events. Secondly, a mucoadhesive polymer is incorporated into the topical ophthalmic formulation, enhancing the retention time of the formulation on the ocular surface and increasing treatment efficacy. Thirdly, a combination therapy with a lubricating agent is proposed, reducing friction on the ocular surface and enhancing patient comfort. Lastly, a pulsatile administration method is introduced, mimicking the natural pulsatile release of prostacyclin and reducing the risk of adverse events. These improvements collectively enhance the safety, efficacy, and comfort of ocular surface nociception treatment.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce novel and non-obvious improvements to the original patent, including controlled release profiles, mucoadhesive polymers, combination therapies, and pulsatile administration methods. These improvements are not suggested or implied in the original patent and provide a significant advancement in the field of ocular surface nociception treatment.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of this inventive concept could include different formulations, such as nanoparticles or liposomes, to further enhance the efficacy and safety of the treatment. Additionally, other combination therapies or administration methods could be explored to expand the scope of the inventive concept.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

This inventive concept has significant commercial potential in the ophthalmic industry, particularly in the treatment of dry eye disease and other ocular surface disorders. The improved safety, efficacy, and comfort of the treatment could lead to increased adoption and market share.

Field of Art

Ophthalmology and pharmaceutical formulation, specifically focused on ocular surface treatment and drug delivery methods for managing nociception and dry eye disease

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A pharmaceutical scientist or ophthalmological researcher with expertise in drug formulation, topical ophthalmic delivery, and understanding of ocular surface pathophysiology, possessing knowledge of polymer science, controlled release technologies, and pharmaceutical compounding techniques

Obviousness Rationale

A person having ordinary skill would recognize that the proposed variations represent standard pharmaceutical engineering approaches to improving drug delivery and patient comfort. The PTD's modifications leverage well-established pharmaceutical techniques such as controlled release, mucoadhesive polymers, and combination therapies that are routinely applied to enhance ocular drug performance. These variations represent predictable extensions of the source patent's core therapeutic approach, utilizing known methodological improvements within the field of ophthalmic drug delivery.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Topical ophthalmic formulation of prostacyclin antagonist for dry eye treatment
PTD Variation
Controlled release formulation to minimize peak plasma concentrations
Obviousness Reasoning
Controlled release is a standard pharmaceutical technique for modulating drug absorption, and a PHOSITA would recognize this as a predictable optimization of drug delivery to reduce potential side effects
Source Patent Element
Topical administration of prostacyclin antagonist
PTD Variation
Incorporation of mucoadhesive polymer to enhance retention time
Obviousness Reasoning
Mucoadhesive polymers are well-known in pharmaceutical science for improving drug residence time, and a PHOSITA would find their application to ophthalmic formulations an obvious design choice
Source Patent Element
Method of treating ocular surface nociception
PTD Variation
Combination therapy with lubricating agent to reduce ocular friction
Obviousness Reasoning
Combination therapies are common in pharmaceutical treatment, and a PHOSITA would recognize the potential synergistic benefits of combining a therapeutic agent with a lubricating component
Source Patent Element
Single daily or multiple daily administrations of prostacyclin antagonist
PTD Variation
Pulsatile administration method mimicking natural prostacyclin release
Obviousness Reasoning
Pulsatile drug delivery is a known pharmaceutical technique for mimicking biological rhythms, and a PHOSITA would consider this an obvious method to optimize therapeutic outcomes
Source Patent Element
Treatment of ocular surface nociception
PTD Variation
Addition of anti-inflammatory agent to enhance treatment efficacy
Obviousness Reasoning
Combination of therapeutic agents with complementary mechanisms is a standard approach in pharmaceutical development, and a PHOSITA would find this an obvious strategy for improving treatment outcomes
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US Patent 11857537 and the disclosed variations, a person having ordinary skill in the art would find the proposed modifications to prostacyclin antagonist formulations and administration methods to be obvious extensions of the prior art. The variations represent predictable pharmaceutical engineering approaches that would be readily conceived by a skilled practitioner seeking to optimize ocular surface nociception treatment, thereby rendering potential patent claims obvious and anticipatable by the disclosed prior art.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,537
TitleUse of prostacyclin antagonists for treating ocular surface nociception
Assignee(s)JENIVISION INC.