Genta Incorporated has announced that two new patents related to the Company's franchise in gallium-containing products have issued in the United States.
Applications similar to these patents are pending worldwide, and several additional applications that address other compositions and uses have been filed in the U.S. and other territories. These patents and filings provide for claims of compositions and uses of gallium compounds that can be taken by mouth over extended periods for treatment of skeletal diseases as well as other indications.
The two new patents, US 7,354,952B2 and US 7,456,215B2, provide for the therapeutic use of gallium complexed with various agents that increase the oral bioavailability of the active ingredient and yield superior pharmacokinetics compared with the active ingredient used alone.
G4544 is a new, clinical-stage, tablet formulation that enables oral absorption of the active ingredient contained in Ganite ® (gallium nitrate injection), a drug that is marketed by Genta and approved in the U.S. for treatment of cancer-related hypercalcemia. Genta is developing G4544 in collaboration with Emisphere Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: EMIS). The initial clinical study -- a dose-ranging, single-dose evaluation of G4544 in normal subjects - has been completed. Genta is the IND Sponsor and is directing the clinical development program.