The patent application was among the assets Columbia Laboratories sold to Watson in July 2010.
The patent will cover Crinone and Prochieve (progesterone gels) and any products in the potential new preterm birth indication until at least February 2028.
Columbia Laboratories president and CEO Frank Condella said that the patent, which is founded in their research efforts in preventing preterm birth, will help safeguard their future royalty stream from Watson Pharmaceuticals for progesterone products in the potential preterm birth indication.
"We look forward to reporting results of the Pregnant Study, our pivotal Phase III clinical trial of Prochieve to reduce the risk of preterm birth in women with a short cervix at mid pregnancy, in December," Condella said.