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PROLOR Biotech, formerly Modigene Inc., announced that the U. S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) has issued two new patents for the company's long-acting CTP-enhanced human growth hormone (hGH-CTP) and human erythropoietin (EPO-CTP)
NES-ZIONA, Israel | June 30, 2009 | PROLOR Biotech, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: PBTH - News), formerly Modigene Inc., today announced that the U. S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) has issued two new patents for the company's long-acting CTP-enhanced human growth hormone (hGH-CTP) and human erythropoietin (EPO-CTP). The patents cover the composition of PROLOR's proprietary pharmaceutical compounds as well as certain associated methods. PROLOR's CTP technology is based on a short amino acid sequence, the Carboxyl Terminal Peptide that occurs naturally in humans. When attached to a therapeutic protein, CTP extends the time that the protein is active in the body.
"These two new patents covering CTP-enhanced human growth hormone and erythropoietin represent another significant layer of protection within our CTP-based intellectual property portfolio," said Shai Novik, president of PROLOR. "We have also filed several other patent applications for additional CTP-enhanced long-acting therapeutic proteins and peptides that are currently pending. We are confident that our growing CTP patent estate will provide excellent protection for both our compounds under development and for our innovative and versatile platform technology, and we believe it will serve as an important value driver for PROLOR in the future."
The potential utility of the CTP technology has been demonstrated by Schering-Plough, which is developing the technology for fertility applications only. Data from its Phase III ENGAGE trial demonstrated that women receiving a single injection of the fertility drug FSH-CTP achieved the same pregnancy rates as women receiving seven consecutive daily injections of commercial FSH. This 1,509 patient trial, which was the largest double-blind fertility trial ever conducted, formed the basis for a Marketing Authorization Application by Schering-Plough that is under review by the European Medicines Agency.
PROLOR is using the same CTP technology to extend the duration of action of other therapeutic proteins. CTP was discovered at Washington University in St. Louis, which has exclusively licensed rights for the use of CTP with all therapeutic proteins to PROLOR, with the exception of four endocrine hormones licensed to Schering-Plough. PROLOR plans to initiate human clinical trials with hGH-CTP, its longer-acting version of human growth hormone, later this year.
The issue date for U.S. Patents 7,553,940 (hGH-CTP) and 7,553,941 (EPO-CTP) is June 30, 2009.
ABOUT PROLOR BIOTECH
PROLOR Biotech, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company applying its patented CTP technology to develop longer-acting, proprietary versions of already approved therapeutic proteins that currently generate billions of dollars in annual global sales. The CTP technology is applicable to virtually all proteins and PROLOR is currently developing long-acting versions of human growth hormone, interferon beta and erythropoietin, which are in late preclinical development, as well as GLP-1. For more information on PROLOR, visit http://www.modigeneinc.com.
SOURCE: PROLOR Biotech, Inc. |
