European Patent Office grants a patent for Rexahn Pharmaceuticals' RX-3117

Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE Amex:RNN), a clinical stage pharmaceutical company commercializing potential best in class oncology and CNS therapeutics, today announced that the European Patent Office has granted a patent for its novel anti-cancer compound, RX-3117.

“In addition to our co-development partnership with Teva, this European patent award further validates the commercial potential of RX-3117”

“In addition to our co-development partnership with Teva, this European patent award further validates the commercial potential of RX-3117,” said Dr. Chang Ahn, Rexahn's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “The development of RX-3117 strengthens our oncology pipeline, which includes Archexin^TM, currently in Phase II clinical trials.”

RX-3117 is a small molecule, new chemical entity (NCE), nucleoside compound that inhibits DNA methyltransferase, a cyclin-dependent kinase, and DNA synthesis. Potential indications of RX-3117 are solid tumors including colon, lung and pancreatic cancers. In preclinical trials, RX-3117 has demonstrated its ability to overcome cancer drug resistance in cancer cells, in particular, gemcitabine-resistance in the human lung cancer cell. The US patent issued for RX-3117 claims composition of matter, synthesis, and methods (2008).

In September 2009, Rexahn announced a commercialization and development agreement with Teva for RX-3117. Under the agreement, Rexahn will be eligible to receive additional development, regulatory and sales milestone payments and royalties on net sales worldwide.