Replies to post #777 on Biotech Values

[isolution]

New patent

Hi Dew and happy new year,
I was about to give my comments on the last Oxigene's PR when I saw your call, thanks for your confidence.

First, I wouldn't have done a PR for such a small new, this patent is what specialists in patenting strategy call a "protective patent".
The interesting molecule is CA4 described in the core patent 4,996,237 for its use to treat cancer.
CA4 is relatively insoluble in water which is a major problem, and the best strategy in that case is to develop and synthetize what is called prodrugs, which are soluble in water and change the pharmacokinetic profile. Once administered, these prodrugs are converted into the original drug (like CA4P, Phosphorylated version of CA4).
Oxigene has filled several patents describing first synthesis of CA4P and after several prodrugs or salts that are soluble in water, have an improved stability, favorable physiochemical properties, better efficacy and which readily regenerates into native CA4 in vivo and do not produce unwanted or potentially deleterious side products when undergoing regeneration.
I consider it is a very good thing that Oxigene fill these patents or have exclusive rights on these patents, a lot better than if Alcon, Novartis or any other do it.
In fact, some have done it, it is all said in my post #534.
About conversion, since all these compounds transform into CA4 in the body, more or less rapidly, you just have to compare their phamakokinetics with the original CA4P pharmakokinetics. You don't have to restart clinical trials hopefully.

Considering topical administration, if you read carefully patent application number 20030181531 at:

http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsea....

untitled "Compositions and methods of administering tubulin binding agents for the treatment of ocular diseases"
and compare the concentration values in the retina and choroid, which are the only tissues affected by AMD and where you want the drug to be, you will see that topical administration don't give the best values.
It takes some time to compare Intravitreal, Subtenon, Subconjonctival, Periocular, Iontophoresis, Topical gel or solution, but it is worthy especially if you look for a local and noninvasive mean to administer CA4P.