Feb 28, 2008 -
Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: OREX), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the treatment of central nervous system disorders, including obesity, announced that the European Patent Office has issued a Decision to Grant a Patent covering compositions and uses of bupropion and naltrexone for affecting weight loss. These two drugs are the active constituents in Contrave™, Orexigen's lead product candidate for the treatment of obesity. This development is an important milestone toward an eventual patent validation in individual European countries. This patent, once issued, would provide exclusive rights on this combination in those countries until 2024.
This is the latest in a series of decisions strengthening Orexigen's intellectual property portfolio. A notice allowing the corresponding U.S. patent was received from the United States Patent Office (USPTO) in January, and a notice of allowance from the USPTO was received earlier this month for zonisamide to treat obesity. Zonisamide is a key ingredient in Empatic™, which is in the later stages of Phase II clinical development... Orexigen's Press Release -
