Biotech Values

[DewDiligence]

Antares gets patent on “fast melt” technology:

[Antares has not exactly had an enterprising start on the Amex exchange, as the stock price is down by almost a third since trading on the Amex began two weeks ago. The stock is still up sharply from its summer low, however, perhaps based on the visibility from the successful phase-2 LibiGel data from Antares’ licensee, BioSante.

BTW: Antares is the company whose CEO was squirming during an online interview with CBSMW’s Bambi Francisco, who happened to be wearing a very short skirt (#msg-4115660).]

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/041014/phth044_1.html

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Antares Pharma Receives European Patent For Easy Tec(TM) Fast-Melt Technology

EXTON, Pa., Oct. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Antares Pharma, Inc. (Amex: AIS - News), an evolving specialty pharmaceutical company with headquarters in Exton, Pennsylvania, announced today that it has received notification from the European Patent Office that an additional patent for its Easy Tec(TM) fast-melt tablet technology has been granted. The patent issue date was September 22, 2004, as European Patent Number 0974365. Antares Pharma believes that this patent further strengthens the company's intellectual property portfolio for this technology, particularly because it follows the issue of a U.S. patent in February 2004.

Commenting on the patent, Dario Carrara, Ph.D., Managing Director for Antares Pharma's European operations, where the technology was developed, said, "Oral fast-melt tablet technology has proven very popular with patients, and the current market for such products has reached approximately $1.5 billion per year. Additionally, it is one of the fastest growing sectors of the drug delivery market with industry experts projecting a 20% annual growth rate for the next several years. Fast-melt technology allows oral drugs to be taken without water in a form that disperses in less than 30 seconds. This is beneficial for children and the elderly who often have difficulty swallowing solid dosage forms." Dr. Carrara added, "While there are other fast-melt technologies available, Easy Tec(TM) distinguishes itself in its simplicity of manufacturing, which we believe will provide differentiated advantages to Antares Pharma."

Jack E. Stover, President and CEO of Antares Pharma, said, "As part of our focus as an emerging specialty pharmaceutical company, we intend to develop several important generic products using our Easy Tec(TM) technology. We believe that many of these will have short development pathways and will potentially be approvable based on a short clinical study showing that the drug absorption profile is the same as a currently marketed conventional product. Additionally, we will continue to offer Easy Tec(TM) to pharmaceutical company partners for specific applications as part of our corporate partnering program."
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