Trius receives patent protection for torezolid phosphate in the U.S.

Trius Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: TSRX) announced today the issuance of Patent Number 7,816,379, entitled "Oxazolidinone Derivatives," by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The new patent, which is exclusively licensed to Trius, protects the Company's lead investigational drug, torezolid phosphate (TR-701), currently in Phase 3 clinical testing in patients with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI). The patent can be viewed on the USPTO's website at www.uspto.gov. Trius also has licensed patents in Australia, New Zealand, and India, and a patent application in Russia where a notice of allowance was recently issued.  Counterpart applications are also pending in additional territories.

"The issuance of this patent adds to our robust intellectual property portfolio for torezolid phosphate, the only second-generation oxazolidinone in Phase 3 development," said Jeffrey Stein, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Trius.  "These issued claims are expected to provide patent exclusivity for torezolid phosphate through late 2026."

Trius acquired worldwide rights outside of North and South Korea to a family of patent applications that provide patent coverage for composition of matter and methods of making and using torezolid phosphate through an exclusive license from Dong-A Pharmaceuticals in 2007.  In addition to the U.S. patent and the four allowed or issued foreign patents mentioned above, Trius has filed patent applications directed to other aspects of torezolid phosphate discovered by Trius' scientists. Patents which may issue from these additional applications could provide patent exclusivity for torezolid phosphate through 2030.