YM BioSciences said that the US patent numbers 7,648,981 and 7,648,982 extend the life of YM’s AeroLEF patent estate in the US to 2024. The company has also announced that AeroLEF’s patent estate has expanded to include other territories with the issuance of European patent number 1,603,533 and several patent allowances in China, India, Mexico and other territories.
US patent number 7,648,981 protects the self-medicating method of pain management in which the pain sufferer inhales a formulation comprising free and liposomal fentanyl in a dose ratio that provides rapid onset and sustained relief from pain without attendant toxicity. Also claimed is a breath-actuated device for delivering the fentanyl formulation.
The US patent number 7,648,982 covers a pain relief method and device that delivers fentanyl formulations defined according to the particle sizes and unit doses effective to manage pain by the route of pulmonary delivery. European patent number 1,603,533 and other recently allowed patents’ coverage is similar in scope to the recently issued US patents.
David Allan, CEO of YM BioSciences, said: “These patents strengthen and extend the patent protection for AeroLEF in the US, and also expand the global market for this unique and potentially first in class product.
“The scientific pedigree and unique advantages of this product have been established and its safety and efficacy have been demonstrated in numerous clinical trials. AeroLEF has met all endpoints in each of its trials including a randomised Phase II trial and is currently being prepared for late-stage development internationally.”