ADVR Granted Therapeutic Composition Patent For Product R
U.S. Patent Awarded for Chemical Structure of Novel Peptide Nucleic Acid
27-Mar-2003
Advanced Viral Research
Corp. announced that it has been awarded an U.S.
Patent, entitled "Preparation of a Therapeutic Composition,"
for Product R, the peptide nucleic acid immunomodulator currently in clinical
trials in Israel.
The claims of the newly issued patent focus on the chemical structures of
the two unique peptides that constitute Product R. The patent describes the
amino acid compositions and sequences of peptides A and B. In addition, the
claims include the nature of the polynucleotide conjugate of peptide B.
Product R is composed of two peptides that, in combination, produce a stable
biopolymeric structure highly resistant to degradative enzymes such as
nucleases and peptidases.
"This new patent is a significant and important addition to the
intellectual property of Advanced Viral Research Corp. The chemical structure
of the peptide nucleic acid described in this patent unfolds a rich, new
chemistry that may yield important future therapeutic agents related to
Product R," said Shalom Z. Hirschman, M.D. President and CEO. "The patent
describes the unique chemical structure of the two peptides present in Product
R, including the peptide that is a novel peptide nucleic acid conjugate. The
chemical structures of the peptides of Product R were filed in our Drug Master
File submitted with our investigational new drug (IND) application to the US
FDA in 2001."
"We believe that Product R may one day play a broad role in the treatment
of a variety of diseases," said Eli Wilner, Chairman of the Board of Advanced
Viral. "We are committed to ensuring that the intellectual property associated
with the ultimate commercialization of Product R is broadly and adequately
protected."
In October 2001 the company was granted a U.S. Patent for the preparation
and overall composition of Product R. ADVR holds 10 U.S. patents related to
Product R that cover such areas as the preparation and chemistry of Product R,
and such uses as the treatment of anemia by stimulating red blood cell
production, the treatment of canine distemper, the treatment of human
parvovirus infection, the treatment of basal cell carcinoma, and the topical
treatment of skin and eye infections.
Israeli clinical trials
Advanced Viral Research Corp. is currently conducting three Israeli
clinical trials for Product R including:
* a Phase I/II clinical trial with injectable Product R in cachectic
patients who have failed highly active antiretroviral therapy and
require salvage therapy;
* a Phase I clinical study for the treatment of body wasting (cachexia) in
patients with solid tumors; and
* a Phase I clinical trial for cachectic patients with hematopoietic and
lymphoid tumors, including acute lymphocytic leukemia, Hodgkin's disease
and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
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