Problem Why ain't BTA chasing the Cure for the Common Cold...

Problem
Why ain't BTA chasing the Cure for the Common Cold indication with BTA-798?

Hypothesis
Composition of Matter patent for BTA-798 was obtained in 2001 to "treat HRV".

How do you extend patents? A number of ways including changing/expanding on the use of the compound.

The original patent covers the very broad Cure for Common Cold indication (by treating HRV) so there is little room to extend the patent.

In comes a new patent filed last year whose abstract is The present invention relates to the treatment, alleviation, prevention or reduction of symptoms or exacerbations of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), of which reduced lung function is typically symptomatic.

If successful BTA-798 has patent protection for this indication until 2031, as opposed to a broad indication of 2021.