Continued good news from Atrx.
Atrix Laboratories Strengthens Patent Position
PR Newswire - February 22, 1999 18:34
FORT COLLINS, Colo., Feb. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Atrix Laboratories, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATRX) announced today that it has received two new patents and one Notification of Allowance from the U.S. Patent Office for three drug delivery systems acquired when Atrix purchased ViroTex Corporation in November 1998. The company now holds 31 U.S. and 18 foreign patents issued to protect its proprietary drug delivery technologies. Atrix has an additional 24 U.S. and 40 foreign patent applications pending.
The first patent is for the Bioerodible Mucoadhesive film (BEMA(TM)) drug delivery technology. This system adheres to the mucosal tissue of the mouth, and allows the rapid or controlled delivery of medication through the tissue as it dissolves away. While BEMA systems can deliver small molecules, peptides, proteins and DNA, this formula patent covers a BEMA composition containing dyclonine-HCl, a topical anesthetic drug for relief of pain including canker sores and minor dental procedures.
The second patent covers compositions for topical application of therapeutic agents in the Solvent/Microparticle (SMP(TM)) drug delivery system. The SMP technology combines dissolved drug compound with a microparticle suspension of the drug in a single formulation, allowing the medication to be delivered in two stages to improve the absorption of relatively insoluble active compounds. The technology is particularly useful in formulating dermatology products. Atrix is currently conducting human clinical studies with a topical therapy that uses the SMP system to delivery the drug dapsone for the treatment of acne. Additional SMP composition and method patents are pending.
A Notification of Allowance was also received for a patent providing effective commercial protection of the Mucocutaneous Adsorption (MCA(TM)) drug delivery system, a moisture resistant, film-forming gel or liquid spray that binds drugs to skin or mucosal surfaces for efficient, sustained release of active ingredients. This topical delivery system is being developed for a variety of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) applications. Two OTC products based on the MCA technology are in the final stages of development, and the company expects to launch at least one of these products in 1999.
"These patented drug delivery technologies from ViroTex complement and expand Atrix's ATRIGEL(R) technology platform for site-specific and parenteral drug delivery to topical and transmucosal drug delivery," said Dr. Richard L. Jackson, senior vice president of research and development at Atrix Laboratories. "Atrix can now offer pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies an array of immediate and sustained release biodegradable drug delivery systems to meet their new product development needs."
Atrix Laboratories, Inc. develops, manufactures and markets dental, medical and veterinary drug delivery systems and products. Its lead product, ATRIDOX(R) for the treatment of chronic adult periodontitis, is based on its proprietary ATRIGEL biodegradable polymeric technology, which can be used for a broad range of drug delivery and biomaterial applications where sustained release is required. The company is also commercializing, for both pharmaceutical and over-the-counter applications, four recently acquired topical and transmucosal drug delivery systems which provide rapid onset of action. Additional information is available on the Atrix Laboratories, Inc. Web site at atrixlabs.com. |
