Aegis Awarded Its First Patent for Non-Invasive Delivery of a Protein Drug to the Central Nervous System (CNS)

SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwired - Oct 9, 2013) - Aegis Therapeutics LLC announced today that it has been awarded its first patent for non-invasive delivery of a protein drug to the central nervous system (CNS). U.S. Patent No. 8,551,468 provides drug compositions for non-invasive direct delivery of stabilized beta-interferon to the central nervous system via a simple metered nasal spray based upon Aegis' patented Intravail® transmucosal absorption enhancer and ProTek® protein stabilization technologies.

Interferons (IFNs) are highly potent biotherapeutics that mimic naturally occurring human proteins released by a patient's own host cells in response to a number of disease processes. They allow for communication between cells to trigger the protective defenses of the immune system. IFN beta-1a and IFN beta-1b are used to treat and control multiple sclerosis, slowing disease progression and reducing flare ups.

While Aegis now has more than a dozen issued formulation patents related to peptide, protein, and small molecule therapeutics, this patent marks the first issued patent relating to non-invasive direct delivery of protein drugs to the central nervous system. Elimination of repeated injections for chronic diseases provides significant convenience for patients and direct delivery to the CNS will allow proportionally smaller doses and reduction of unwanted systemic drug exposure, together potentially reducing unwanted side effects.

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About Aegis Therapeutics
Aegis Therapeutics LLC commercializes its patented drug formulation technologies through product-specific licenses. Intravail® drug delivery technology enables non-invasive delivery of a broad range of protein, peptide and non-peptide drugs that can currently only be administered by injection, via the oral, buccal, and intranasal administration routes, and with high bioavailability. Our ProTek® excipients stabilize, prevent aggregation, and reduce unwanted immunogenicity of protein and peptide therapeutics while avoiding oxidative damage caused by polysorbate surfactants.

For more information about Aegis, please visit: http://www.aegisthera.com.