Depomed expands patent portfolio around extended release gabapentin formulation technology

Depomed, Inc. (NASDAQ:DEPO) announced today that it has received a Notice of Allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a U.S. patent application (No. 12/239,591) directed to pharmaceutical dosage forms that deliver the compound gabapentin via Depomed’s proprietary Acuform^® gastric retentive drug delivery technology.

Paul B. Simboli, Depomed’s senior director of Intellectual Property, noted that with the issuance of this additional patent, Depomed will hold six U.S. patents covering DM-1796, its product candidate for postherpetic neuralgia licensed to Solvay Pharmaceuticals, and holds or has sublicensed seven U.S. patents covering Serada^TM, its product candidate for menopausal hot flashes. The patents have expiration dates ranging from 2016 to 2024. The 21 newly allowed claims will expire in 2024.

Carl A. Pelzel, Depomed’s president and chief executive officer, added, “This new patent further expands the patent portfolio around our extended release gabapentin formulation technology. There are significant near-term developments upcoming for both product candidates covered by this patent. We look forward to an NDA filing for DM-1796 for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia later this quarter, and initiation of a Phase 3 trial for Serada^TM for the treatment of menopausal hot flashes early in the second quarter.”