The patent broadly covers methods of treating obesity with combinations of bupropion and naltrexone, the two active agents in Contrave. It is a companion to the Weber/Cowley composition patent which was issued by the US Patent and Trademark Office in May 2008 and broadly covers sustained release compositions of bupropion and naltrexone combined in a single dosage form.
Contrave is an investigational oral weight loss medication with a mechanism of action that works at two levels within the central nervous system: one that controls the balance of food intake and metabolism and another which controls food preference and cravings (also known as the reward center).
The Weber/Cowley methods patent will provide protection for Contrave through mid 2024.
Eckard Weber, interim president and CEO of Orexigen, said: “The issuance of this patent adds another layer of protection for Contrave, which we believe enhances its net present value. Contrave is now protected by four patents that we believe will provide broad intellectual property coverage.”