AIM ImmunoTech Announces Final Approval of Novel Cancer Therapy Patent in Japan Combining Ampligen with Checkpoint Inhibitors

AIM also intends to pursue Japanese Orphan Drug Designation for Ampligen in treatment of pancreatic cancer
 

OCALA, Fla., March 18, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AIM ImmunoTech Inc. (NYSE American: AIM) (“AIM” or the “Company”) today announced that the Japan Patent Office has fully approved a Japanese patent covering the Company’s proprietary use of Ampligen (rintatolimod) in combination with checkpoint inhibitors (anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 antibodies) for the treatment of cancer. The patent was granted in September 2025, but had to then pass a 6-month opposition period. Japan is one of the largest health markets in the world, with Japan and the United States expected to experience the greatest increase in global pancreatic cancer burden by 2030. The Japan patent expires December 20, 2039.

The allowed claims in Japan cover an agent for treating cancer consisting of Ampligen in combination with a checkpoint inhibitor. The claims are broad and encompass multiple cancer types – including pancreatic cancer. AIM also holds a U.S. patent (expires August 9, 2039) for methods involving the use of Ampligen as part of a combination oncology therapy when paired with an anti-PD-L1 antibody and a patent in the Netherlands (expires December 19, 2039) for the use of Ampligen as a combination cancer therapy with checkpoint blockade inhibitors, such as Keytruda (pembrolizumab), Opdivo (nivolumab) and Imfinzi (durvalumab).

AIM CEO Thomas K. Equels stated: “AIM is committed to developing Ampligen for the treatment of late-stage pancreatic cancer, which is an extremely lethal and unmet global health problem. Securing this critical patent in a key global market is just the latest step in AIM’s robust development and commercialization strategy.”

AIM also intends to expand its intellectual property portfolio by pursuing orphan drug designation in Japan for Ampligen in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. The Company already holds Orphan Drug designations for pancreatic cancer in the United States and the European Union. While the details of the designations vary by region, the purpose is to incentivize the development of therapies for unmet health needs, by providing various benefits and market exclusivity after a drug receives market approval.

About AIM ImmunoTech Inc.
AIM ImmunoTech Inc. is an immuno-pharma company focused on the research and development of its lead product, Ampligen® (rintatolimod), for the treatment of late-stage pancreatic cancer, a lethal and unmet global health problem. Ampligen is a dsRNA and highly selective TLR3 agonist immuno-modulator that has shown broad-spectrum activity in clinical trials.

Please review the “Risk Factors” section in the Company’s latest annual report on Form 10-K and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and the Registration Statement. Its filings are available at www.aimimmuno.com. The information found on the Company’s website is not incorporated by reference herein and is included for reference purposes only.