PROLOR receives U.S. patent allowance for CTP-modified interferons

PROLOR Biotech, Inc. (NYSE Amex: PBTH) today announced that it received a notice of allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) for a patent application covering PROLOR's CTP-modified interferons.  Interferons are proteins produced in response to the presence of tumor cells or pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria and parasites. Several interferon proteins, including interferon alfa and beta, are used as therapies for hepatitis B and C virus infections, multiple sclerosis and hematological malignancies, such as leukemia and lymphomas. The estimated worldwide market for interferons is approximately $8 billion.

"We are very pleased with the growing number of new patent allowances PROLOR has received for specific CTP-modified compounds and for our CTP platform technology.  Once issued, these allowances should strengthen the intellectual property portfolio that we are creating around our CTP technology, and we believe they will serve as an important value driver for PROLOR going forward," commented Shai Novik, president of PROLOR.

This new U.S. patent is expected to be issued in the next few months.