LEXINGTON, Mass., Sept. 20, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Pulmatrix,
Inc. (NASDAQ: PULM), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company
developing innovative inhaled therapies to address serious
pulmonary diseases, today announced that it has received two
important new patents from the United States Patent and Trademark
Office.
The first new patent expands the potential of Pulmatrix's
technology for delivering drugs directly to the lungs. Pulmatrix
has developed a dry powder that 'flies' easily through the airways
and can deliver a wide range of types of drugs. The technology
significantly increases the efficiency of drug delivery and reduces
side effects compared to existing approaches.
Pulmatrix's iSPERSE drug delivery technology has already
received extensive intellectual property protection.
The new patent makes the technology even more versatile. A drug
is typically formulated in the iSPERSE matrix using
"excipients"—typically inert ingredients like salts that enhance
the drug's utility. The previous patents had provided intellectual
property protection for the use of two such excipients. The new
patent (US 9744130) adds protection for the use of two more
excipients.
"This patent doubles the choices that we have, extending the
reach of our technology," explained Robert W. Clarke, Ph.D., Chief
Executive Officer for Pulmatrix.
The second new patent expands protections for Pulmatrix's
PUR0200 drug candidate for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD). PUR0200 combines tiotropium bromide, the active component
in the billion-dollar blockbuster drug Spiriva, with Pulmatrix's
drug delivery platform. Clinical trials of PUR0200 have shown that
the product is up to five times more efficient at delivering the
drug to the lungs than are the currently marketed alternatives.
Pulmatrix had previously received several key patents protecting
PUR0200. The new patent (US 9737518), however, broadens the
intellectual property protection so that it's no longer limited to
specific characteristics and performance criteria. The new patent
includes complete protection for the composition of the drug and
certain dose ranges.
"The new PUR0200 patent will make it more difficult for
potential competitors to develop similar products or to work around
our product candidate," explained Robert W. Clarke, Ph.D., Chief
Executive Officer for Pulmatrix. "The new claims also will make it
possible for us to add in a second therapeutic to create a
combination product."
Pulmatrix is now developing PUR0200 in both Europe and the
United States, following regulatory pathways that offer
quicker approvals and lower costs. Pulmatrix recently announced
that it has partnered with Vectura Group plc (LSE: VEC) to develop
PUR0200 for COPD for the U.S. market.
About Pulmatrix
Pulmatrix is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing
innovative inhaled therapies to address serious pulmonary disease
using its patented iSPERSE™ technology. The Company's proprietary
product pipeline is focused on advancing treatments for rare
diseases, including PUR1900, an inhaled anti-fungal for patients
with severe asthma and cystic fibrosis (CF), and PUR1800, a narrow
spectrum kinase inhibitor for patients with COPD. In addition,
Pulmatrix is pursuing opportunities in major pulmonary diseases
through collaborations, including PUR0200, a branded generic in
clinical development for COPD. Pulmatrix's product candidates
are based on iSPERSE™, its proprietary dry powder delivery
platform, which seeks to improve therapeutic delivery to the lungs
by maximizing local concentrations and reducing systemic side
effects to improve patient outcomes.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements in this press release that are forward-looking
and not statements of historical fact are forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company
cautions that such statements involve risks and uncertainties that
may materially affect the Company's results of operations. Such
forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of management
as well as assumptions made by and information currently available
to management. Actual results could differ materially from those
contemplated by the forward-looking statements as a result of
certain factors, including but not limited to the ability to
establish that potential products are efficacious or safe in
preclinical or clinical trials; the ability to establish or
maintain collaborations on the development of therapeutic
candidates; the ability to obtain appropriate or necessary
governmental approvals to market potential products; the ability to
obtain future funding for developmental products and working
capital and to obtain such funding on commercially reasonable
terms; the Company's ability to manufacture product candidates on a
commercial scale or in collaborations with third parties; changes
in the size and nature of competitors; the ability to retain key
executives and scientists; and the ability to secure and enforce
legal rights related to the Company's products, including patent
protection. A discussion of these and other factors, including
risks and uncertainties with respect to the Company, is set forth
in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, including its annual report on Form 10-K filed by the
Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 10, 2017, as may be supplemented or amended
by the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. The Company
disclaims any intention or obligation to revise any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events
or otherwise, except as required by law.
Investor
Contact
|
|
Robert Clarke, CEO
|
William Duke, CFO
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(781) 357-2333
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(781) 357-2333
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rclarke@pulmatrix.com
|
wduke@pulmatrix.com
|
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SOURCE Pulmatrix, Inc.