Persica Pharmaceuticals Limited (Persica), a clinical stage biotechnology company developing a transformative treatment for chronic Low Back Pain (cLBP), today announces that it has been granted a patent by the European Patent Office for PP353, its clinical stage asset.

The new patent, EP3709970, was granted on 14^th May 2025 and relates to injectable, thermosensitive hydrogel compositions comprising linezolid for relieving and/or treating cLBP. The patent adds to Persica’s extensive worldwide IP portfolio for PP353, with corresponding patents having already been granted in the US, Japan and China. These provide broad global coverage of the product up to 2038 and are supplemented by additional granted and pending patent applications.

Dr Steve Ruston, Chief Executive Officer of Persica Pharmaceuticals Ltd, said: “PP353 is a ground-breaking therapy which has enormous potential to positively transform the lives of patients by treating the cause of the problem and not just the symptoms. The addition of this EU patent to our suite of IP protection is further recognition of our innovation, and enables us to continue to develop this important new treatment for those who are not helped by existing options.”  

In March 2025, Persica announced positive topline data from its Phase 1b Modic Trial, a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial assessing the safety and efficacy of PP353 for patients with cLBP associated with Modic Type 1 changes, which may be caused by infection. PP353, a targeted intradiscal antibiotic injection, has the potential to help millions of patients suffering with persistent pain and disability, and to offer an alternative to long-term opioid use for pain relief.