MDRNA, Inc. Announces Patent Allowance Covering Intranasal Formulations for Y2-Receptor Agonists
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MDRNA, Inc. has announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a Notice of Allowance for patent application U.S. 12/234,547 covering formulations for the intranasal delivery of Y2 receptor selective agonists.
Y2-receptor agonists are a family of peptides (pancreatic polypeptide, peptide YY, and neuropeptide Y) that play a central role in caloric intake. The natural release of these peptides in association with meals directly influences how efficient and effective the body utilizes sugars, carbohydrates and other nutrients. Y2-receptor agonists can regulate food intake at the level of the brain, pancreas, and intestinal tract, and may provide treatment to prevent overeating and excessive weight gain, and the numerous adverse health effects associated with obesity.
"MDRNA's focus remains the development of therapeutic products based on RNAi, however we believe that our legacy nasal assets have significant value," said J. Michael French, President and CEO of MDRNA. "This patent allowance considerably broadens the scope of protection for our intranasal formulations used in the treatment of high profile diseases such as obesity and related diseases. Based on the breadth of the allowed claims and the success of our formulations to deliver a drug via a nasal spray, we believe our nasal delivery technology has excellent commercial potential."
While representing an attractive means of therapy, peptide-based drugs generally require injections, and in the case of obesity and related diseases, chronic administration. Intranasal sprays provide an easy and convenient means of therapy, and are appropriate for chronic use. To this end, intranasal formulations developed by MDRNA have demonstrated effective and safe delivery in clinical trials of numerous peptides, including Y2-receptor agonists. Furthermore, commercial scale procedures and processes for these formulations have been established and can be expected to allow for rapid development and commercialization.
A patent allowance confirms the substantive examination of a patent application and will result in a final issuance of a U.S. patent once an administrative process is completed.
Y2-receptor agonists are a family of peptides (pancreatic polypeptide, peptide YY, and neuropeptide Y) that play a central role in caloric intake. The natural release of these peptides in association with meals directly influences how efficient and effective the body utilizes sugars, carbohydrates and other nutrients. Y2-receptor agonists can regulate food intake at the level of the brain, pancreas, and intestinal tract, and may provide treatment to prevent overeating and excessive weight gain, and the numerous adverse health effects associated with obesity.
"MDRNA's focus remains the development of therapeutic products based on RNAi, however we believe that our legacy nasal assets have significant value," said J. Michael French, President and CEO of MDRNA. "This patent allowance considerably broadens the scope of protection for our intranasal formulations used in the treatment of high profile diseases such as obesity and related diseases. Based on the breadth of the allowed claims and the success of our formulations to deliver a drug via a nasal spray, we believe our nasal delivery technology has excellent commercial potential."
While representing an attractive means of therapy, peptide-based drugs generally require injections, and in the case of obesity and related diseases, chronic administration. Intranasal sprays provide an easy and convenient means of therapy, and are appropriate for chronic use. To this end, intranasal formulations developed by MDRNA have demonstrated effective and safe delivery in clinical trials of numerous peptides, including Y2-receptor agonists. Furthermore, commercial scale procedures and processes for these formulations have been established and can be expected to allow for rapid development and commercialization.
A patent allowance confirms the substantive examination of a patent application and will result in a final issuance of a U.S. patent once an administrative process is completed.
