Bone Care International issued new patent

Bone Care International has announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued to it U.S. Patent Number 6,903,083 entitled "Stabilized hydroxyvitamin D."

The patent claims a stabilized 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D2 and pharmaceutical products or compositions that include such an active component. The stabilized hydroxyvitamin D2 products covered under this patent are characterized by a purity profile defined by levels of impurities and residual solvents. Hectorol, Bone Care's novel vitamin D hormone therapy that treats secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with moderate to severe chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease, is covered by this new composition of matter patent that will expire in 2021.

Mr. Paul Berns, President and Chief Executive Officer, Bone Care International stated, "This new patent on stabilized hydroxyvitamin D2 products expands the Hectorol-related patent portfolio and extends the protected time horizon."

Bone Care International (www.bonecare.com) is a specialty pharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative therapeutic products to treat the unmet medical needs of patients with debilitating conditions and life-threatening diseases. Our current commercial and therapeutic focus is in nephrology, utilizing Hectorol, a novel vitamin D hormone therapy, to treat secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with moderate to severe chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease. In addition to chronic kidney disease, the Company is developing vitamin D hormone therapies to treat hyperproliferative disorders such as cancer and psoriasis.