Innovation & Intellectual Property

SPIRAVIRE builds on an established research programme in spiro-β-lactam chemistry and antiviral drug discovery. The project benefits from intellectual property generated through previous research, while contributing to the continued development and translation of this innovative compound class towards antiviral applications.

Foundational Patent — EP 3625238

Novel spiro-lactam compounds, process and uses thereof

The European patent EP 3625238 protects a series of novel spiro-lactam compounds, their preparation and their therapeutic applications. This intellectual property represents an important foundation for the development of the spiro-β-lactam platform and builds on research demonstrating the biological potential of these compounds, including antiviral activity against HIV.

The patent was initially published as EP 3625238 A1 in 2020 and subsequently granted as EP 3625238 B1 in 2025, strengthening the intellectual property protection of the underlying technology.

Patent: EP 3625238 B1

Publication: 26 November 2025

Status: European patent granted

Respiratory Antiviral Patent — WO 2025/104683

Spiro-penicillanate compounds for the treatment of respiratory infections

The international patent application WO 2025/104683 represents a more recent development of the spiro-β-lactam platform, focusing specifically on novel spiro-penicillanate compounds for the treatment of respiratory viral infections. The invention includes applications against important respiratory viruses such as influenza viruses and coronaviruses.

With a priority date in 2023 and international publication in 2025, this patent is particularly relevant to the scientific and technological objectives of SPIRAVIRE, which seeks to advance spiro-β-lactams as broad-spectrum antiviral candidates against respiratory RNA viruses.

Patent application: WO 2025/104683 A1

Publication: 22 May 2025

Status: International patent application published

From Discovery to Therapeutic Innovation

Together, these intellectual property assets illustrate the progression of the spiro-β-lactam research programme from the discovery and development of novel chemical scaffolds to their application in the treatment of respiratory viral infections. SPIRAVIRE builds on this foundation by further investigating antiviral activity, mechanisms of action and therapeutic potential, supporting the future translation of these compounds into innovative broad-spectrum antiviral therapies.