Biospherics acquires worldwide patent rights to Dtagatose from UKRF

Spherix Incorporated (Nasdaq: SPEX), an innovator in biotechnology for therapy in diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and atherosclerosis; and providers of technical and regulatory consulting services to food, supplement, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Biospherics Incorporated, has signed a license agreement with the University of Kentucky Research Foundation (UKRF). The agreement gives Biospherics the worldwide rights to international patents filed on behalf of UKRF for Dtagatose as a lipid-lowering agent for prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis, hypertriglyceridemia, and related dyslipidemias.

Also included in the license are five unique drug formulations that include Dtagatose as one of the active pharmaceutical ingredients for treatment of atherosclerosis and the metabolic syndrome. The international patent applications are filed under the PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty). A majority of the world's countries are signatories to the PCT, including all of the major industrialized countries (with a few exceptions such as Argentina and Taiwan). As of September 28, 2009, there were 142 contracting states to the PCT.

"Spherix believes that D-tagatose has good potential as a treatment for the underserved triglyceride market," said Dr. Claire Kruger, CEO of Spherix. "Preliminary results from our single-blinded Phase 2 clinical trial in diabetes show that low doses of D-tagatose significantly lowered triglyceride levels in people with only mildly elevated triglyceride levels. We are confident that clinical trials dedicated to evaluating D-tagatose in patients with moderately or highly elevated triglycerides will replicate or even improve on those results."

"Assuming a similar reduction in triglycerides is seen in our Phase 3 clinical study in diabetes, from which data will be revealed later this summer, we look forward to developing a second, uniquely-different product for the marketplace," said Dr. Kruger.

SOURCE Spherix Incorporated