HUDDINGE, Sweden, March 31, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- The European Patent Office today granted a patent on Medivir's herpes project ME-609. Medivir currently has operational responsibility for development of the project and preparations towards phase III studies are ongoing. The company's ambition is to have a "turn key" project ready for phase III studies. In parallel Medivir is actively seeking a partnership or joint venture for this advanced and for Medivir important project.
The patent (EP0909498B1) has been granted in all the EU countries and in Switzerland, Slovenia, Liechtenstein, Latvia and Lithuania. The patent covers all topical pharmaceuticals that include the antiviral acyclovir and the glucocorticoid hydrocortisone and also claims the use of such products in the treatment of herpes infections. The EU patent extends to 2016, and will most likely be eligible for further extension with a Supplementary Protection Certificate. The previously granted US patent extends to 2016 and claims a substantial number of immunoregulating and antiviral combinations.
ME-609 may be the first pharmaceutical to prevent the outbreak of cold sores. There are no other products in clinical development with the same profile. Current pharmaceuticals just alleviate the symptoms but do not prevent the outbreak of cold sores. Despite their lack of efficacy, the current pharmaceuticals sold for more than USD 500 m in 2002.
Medivir in brief Medivir is an innovative, specialised research company that develops pharmaceuticals with the aim of becoming a sustainable and profitable pharmaceuticals company. The company is located in Huddinge, Sweden and Cambridge, UK. Medivir's research focuses on developing new pharmaceutical compounds based on polymerases and proteases as target enzymes. The Group comprises Medivir AB, its subsidiary Medivir UK Ltd. and Medivir Personal AB. At the end of 2003, the Group had 109 employees. In 1996, Medivir was listed on Stockholmsborsen and since 1 July 2003, the company's shares are traded on the Attract40 segment of the O-list .The research portfolio includes projects in the area of HIV infection, hepatitis, shingles, cold sores, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), asthma and multiple sclerosis (MS). Medivir has five individual projects in the clinical development phase, all with a unique clinical profile. The company's broad pre-clinical research portfolio includes five defined projects and some ten activities in different pre- clinical phases.
More information on our website http://www.medivir.se
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