The patent relates to enteric coated formulations of crofelemer used to treat secretory diarrhea. The enteric coating allows crofelemer to pass through the stomach into the intestine where it dissolves and acts locally on the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator. The patent life extends until 2017. This patent has also been issued in India, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea.
Lisa Conte, CEO of Napo, said: “Napo expects the opportunity to receive an extension of the patent term under the Hatch-Waxman Act extending our IP coverage beyond 2017.”