Provectus Receives Patent Allowance from U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Provectus Receives Patent Allowance from U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- Protects Novel Synthetic Process Used to Manufacture Rose Bengal and Related Xanthenes -
KNOXVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Provectus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTCQB:PVCT, http://www.pvct.com), a development-stage oncology and dermatology biopharmaceutical company, has received allowance from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) of its patent application protecting the synthetic process used to produce the small molecule Rose Bengal. A notice of allowance is issued after the USPTO makes a determination that a patent can be granted.
Rose Bengal is the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) in PV-10, Provectus's lead oncology drug candidate. The Company's patent application [no. 12/884,833] entitled, "Process for the Synthesis of 4,5,6,7-tetrachloro-3',6'-dihydroxy-2',4',5',7'-tetraiodo-3H-spiro[isobenzofuran-1,9'-xanthen]-3-one (Rose Bengal) and Related Xanthenes," details a new process for the manufacture of Rose Bengal and related iodinated xanthenes in high purity. The process optimizes conditions to reduce the formation of certain transhalogenated impurities that are present in commercial grade material, in accordance with International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH) guidelines for control of impurities in API. The patent allowance provides protection for Rose Bengal API to 2031, and the allowed claims encompass any hypothetical process that controls the amount of transhalogenated impurities in Rose Bengal.
Dr. Craig Dees, PhD, CEO of Provectus, noted, "Rose Bengal has had a long and colorful history, starting in the 19th century as a humble synthetic wool dye, then being used throughout the 20th century as a food dye and in several diagnostic agents. The allowed claims protect our novel synthesis process, which is key in manufacturing Rose Bengal to modern quality standards for pharmaceutical use in therapeutic agents. The discovery of a hallmark, uncontrolled impurity in material manufactured using conventional processes, and our work to eliminate this class of impurities, led to the novelty of this allowed application."
Dr. Dees added, "The quality standards established through use of the new process augment the seven year orphan drug exclusivity previously granted for our melanoma and hepatocellular carcinoma indications and significantly strengthen our expanding intellectual property estate around use of Rose Bengal. From a commercial perspective, the patent allowance also ensures that Provectus meets pharmaceutical manufacturing standards in important geographical regions worldwide including the United States, Australia, the EU, China, India and Japan."
About Provectus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Provectus Pharmaceuticals specializes in developing oncology and dermatology therapies. Its novel oncology drug PV-10 is designed to selectively target and destroy cancer cells without harming surrounding healthy tissue, significantly reducing potential for systemic side effects. Its oncology focus is on melanoma, breast cancer and cancers of the liver. The Company has received orphan drug designations from the FDA for its melanoma and hepatocellular carcinoma indications. Its dermatological drug PH-10 also targets abnormal or diseased cells, with the current focus on psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. Provectus has recently completed Phase 2 trials of PV-10 as a therapy for metastatic melanoma, and of PH-10 as a topical treatment for atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. Information about these and the Company's other clinical trials can be found at the NIH registry, www.clinicaltrials.gov. For additional information about Provectus please visit the Company's website at www.pvct.com or contact Porter, LeVay & Rose, Inc.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: The forward-looking statements contained herein are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management's analysis only as of the date hereof. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date thereof.
Provectus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Peter R. Culpepper, CFO, COO
866-594-5999 #30
or
Porter, LeVay & Rose, Inc.
Marlon Nurse, DM, SVP - Investor Relations
Bill Gordon, SVP - Media Relations
212-564-4700
KEYWORDS: United States North America Tennessee
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