MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.,
Feb. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- MAP
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: MAPP) today announced that the
United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issued to the
Company U.S. Patent No. 8,119,639, titled "Method of Therapeutic
Administration of DHE to Enable Rapid Relief of Migraine while
Minimizing Side Effect Profile." The patent, which expires in
2028, results from the Company's discovery that dihydroergotamine
(DHE) can be administered to achieve pharmacokinetic profiles that
result in rapid efficacy while minimizing side effects that are
typically seen with other migraine drugs. The patent claims
relate to pulmonary administration of DHE to achieve certain
pharmacokinetic profiles. LEVADEX®, which contains the Company's
proprietary formulation of DHE, is an orally inhaled
investigational drug administered using the Company's proprietary
TEMPO® inhaler for the potential acute treatment of migraine in
adults and targets the pharmacokinetic profiles described in this
patent. DHE is a drug that is currently available in other dosage
forms to treat migraine.
"The issuance of this patent adds further protection to the
Company's growing patent estate relating to our LEVADEX product
candidate," said Timothy S. Nelson,
president and chief executive officer of MAP Pharmaceuticals. "This
patent, which claims methods that achieve an optimal
pharmacokinetic profile for rapid relief of migraine with an
emphasis on pulmonary administration of DHE, further strengthens
our proprietary position for LEVADEX through 2028."
About MAP Pharmaceuticals
MAP Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company focused on
developing and commercializing new therapies to address undermet
patient needs in neurology. The Company is developing LEVADEX®, an
orally inhaled investigational drug for the acute treatment of
migraine. The New Drug Application for LEVADEX is currently under
review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. MAP
Pharmaceuticals has entered into a collaboration agreement with
Allergan, Inc. to co-promote LEVADEX to neurologists and pain
specialists in the U.S. and Canada. The Company also applies its
proprietary drug particle and inhalation technologies to generate
new pipeline opportunities by enhancing the therapeutic benefits of
proven drugs, while minimizing risk by capitalizing on their known
safety, efficacy and commercialization history. Additional
information about MAP Pharmaceuticals can be found at
http://www.mappharma.com.
LEVADEX has not been approved for marketing in the United States or any other country for any
indication.
Forward-Looking Statements
In addition to statements of historical facts or statements of
current conditions, this press release contains forward-looking
statements, including with respect to MAP Pharmaceuticals' LEVADEX
product candidate. Actual results may differ materially from
current expectations based on risks and uncertainties affecting the
company's business, including, without limitation, risks and
uncertainties relating to the regulatory approval process for the
Company's LEVADEX product candidate and relating to the Company's
patent rights. The reader is cautioned not to unduly rely on the
forward-looking statements contained in this press release. MAP
Pharmaceuticals expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to
update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
Additional information on potential factors that could affect MAP
Pharmaceuticals' results and other risks and uncertainties are
detailed in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
September 30, 2011, available at
http://edgar.sec.gov.
CONTACT:
Lisa Borland
MAP Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
650-386-3122
SOURCE MAP Pharmaceuticals, Inc.