Paul Simboli, senior director of Intellectual Property at Depomed, has noted that with the issuance of the additional patent, the company expects to hold six US patents covering DM-1796.
He also said that DM-1796’s product candidate for postherpetic neuralgia is licensed to Solvay Pharmaceuticals, and holds or has sublicensed seven US patents covering Serada, its product candidate for menopausal hot flashes. The patents have expiration dates ranging from 2016 to 2024. The 21 newly allowed claims will expire in 2024.
Carl Pelzel, president and CEO of Depomed, said: “This new patent further expands the patent portfolio around our extended release gabapentin formulation technology. There are near-term developments upcoming for both product candidates covered by this patent.
“We look forward to an NDA filing for DM-1796 for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia later this quarter, and initiation of a Phase 3 trial for Serada for the treatment of menopausal hot flashes early in the second quarter.”