Contact | Print version | PDF version | Send article | RSS feed

Pharmalink reports the approval of key patent for chemotherapy drug Busulipo

16 Apr 2008 - Pharmalink AB announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has approved U.S. Patent No. 7,351,427, relating to the pharmaceutical composition, method of preparation and method of treatment by use of busulfan, which is the active agent in Pharmalink's Busulipo(tm). Busulfan is a well-established chemotherapy agent used for myeloablation (severe suppression of bone marrow activity) as a preconditioning regimen to bone marrow stem cell transplantation, for example, in the treatment of leukaemia. The patent application was filed in the U.S. in 2003 and will expire in 2020 (term adjusted).
 
"This patent extends our robust product protection for Busulipo(tm) to the U.S. and we believe will considerably increase our chances of attracting partnerships aimed at speeding up the commercialisation of Busulipo(tm) in key markets," commented Pharmalink's Managing Director Johan Häggblad.
 
The reformulation underlying the Busulipo(tm) concept was conceived and developed by Prof. Moustapha Hassan and Dr. Zuzana Hassan at Karolinska Institutet (Sweden). The basis of the Busulipo(tm) concept is a liposome formulation that improves the safety potential, tissue distribution and stability of busulfan. The concept was especially developed for use in children suffering from malignancies or metabolic disorders and in need of bone marrow transplantation. Pharmalink entered an agreement with Prof. Hassan and Dr. Hassan in 2006 aimed at bringing the project to the market. Busulipo(tm) is currently in Phase II clinical trials with more than 90 patients treated.
 
Pharmalink is currently seeking an industrial partner to support late stage clinical trials and the registration and introduction of Busulipo(tm) into key global markets.