[The request for reexamination of AMLN’s patent claims by the PTO is presumably intended to avert an infringement lawsuit against ConjuChem. It may also help in inking a partnership deal.]
>> ConjuChem Biotechnologies announces filing of patent reexamination request in U.S. Patent & Trademark Office
Monday July 9, 5:00 pm ET
MONTREAL, July 9 /CNW/ - ConjuChem Biotechnologies Inc. (TSX:CJB) announced today that it has submitted an inter partes request to the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office for reexamination of Patent No. 6,924,264. The patent, entitled "Modified Exendins and Exendin Agonists", was issued in August 2005 and is assigned to Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ConjuChem Biotechnologies is requesting a reexamination of a number of claims in the patent as being invalid due to obviousness and/or lack of novelty. This action is being taken in the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. No counterpart to Patent No. 6,924,264 has issued in Europe.
ConjuChem Biotechnologies has a number of issued patents in the insulinotropic peptide field including a composition of matter patent for PC-DAC(TM):Exendin-4 (Patent No. 6,593,295) which was issued by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office in July 2003. The reexamination request to the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office does not involve any of ConjuChem Biotechnologies' patents.
ConjuChem Biotechnologies also confirmed that ongoing discussions with other companies regarding the possible licensing of its PC-DAC(TM):Exendin-4 program are expected to continue and that such parties are supportive of the request for reexamination. ConjuChem Biotechnologies will provide a further update on its business development activities with the filing of its third quarter financial statements in September.
About PC-DAC(TM):Exendin-4
Exendin-4, like Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), is an insulinotropic petide and an agonist for the GLP-1 receptor. Exendin-4 decreases glucagon and increases insulin secretion in a glucose-dependent manner. Exendin-4 may stimulate beta-cell proliferation, restore beta-cell sensitivity to glucose, delay gastric emptying, and increase peripheral sensitivity to glucose. The clinical utility of Exendin-4 is somewhat limited by its relatively short half-life in plasma. Developed with ConjuChem's proprietary PC-DAC(TM) technology, PC-DAC(TM):Exendin-4 is a modified Exendin-4 analogue that is covalently bound to recombinant human albumin (Recombumin(R), provided by Novozymes Delta Limited). Data from Phase I/II clinical studies have demonstrated that the preformed albumin-peptide conjugate has a much longer half-life than the peptide alone. The product is a highly soluble liquid formulation that is injectable in a small volume with a small gauge needle.
About ConjuChem Biotechnologies
ConjuChem Biotechnologies, developer of next generation medicines from therapeutic peptides, is creating long-acting compounds based on bioconjugation platform technologies. When applied to peptides, the Company's systemic DAC(TM) and PC-DAC(TM) Technologies enable the creation of new drugs with significantly enhanced therapeutic properties as compared to the original peptide. Detailed descriptions of the Company can be viewed on the Company's website www.conjuchem.com. <<
MONTREAL - ConjuChem Biotechnologies Inc. said Wednesday it has filed for bankruptcy so that its assets, property and operations may be sold. RSM Ritcher Inc. has been appointed as trustee in bankruptcy.
ConjuChem's protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act expired on July 19.
The company said its directors and officers have resigned.‹
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