Arena Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced that it was granted U.S. Patent No. 8,778,950, entitled “Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators,” by the United States Patent and Trademark Office for APD371, an agonist of the cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2). Arena is exploring several potential indications for APD371, including chronic pain, and is currently conducting a Phase 1 single-ascending dose trial.

 

“Intellectual property protection is an important element of our clinical-stage pipeline,” said Jack Lief, Arena’s president and chief executive officer. “This patent provides us further confidence that APD371 can be exclusive to Arena until at least 2030.” 

 

Arena owns patents and pending patent applications covering compositions of matter for APD371 and related compounds, as well as methods of treatment utilizing APD371 and related compounds. Patent applications for APD371 have been filed in 23 jurisdictions, including the United States, Europe, Japan and China. The jurisdictions where patent applications have been filed are estimated to have accounted for more than 95% of global pharmaceutical sales in 2011. 

 

Date: July 15, 2014

Source: Arena Pharmaceuticals