VIVUS granted three additional patents for Qnexa

VIVUS, Inc. (Nasdaq: VVUS) today announced the issuance of three additional patents by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) covering Qnexa, an investigational new drug candidate for the treatment of obesity.  The three new patents are the second, third, and fourth patents to be granted in a series of patent applications VIVUS has filed that are directed to the Qnexa product and methods of using Qnexa in various therapeutic applications. U.S. Patent No. 7,659,256 affords broad composition-of-matter protection as well as expanded protection on the use of Qnexa to effect weight loss in patients who may be overweight or obese.  In addition, U.S. Patent No. 7,674,776 broadly claims Qnexa dosage forms, controlled release formulations, and methods of use, including the treatment of Syndrome X, a common multisymptomatic disorder often found in obese patients, and the treatment of other conditions that can be alleviated with loss of body weight, such as sleep apnea.  U.S. Patent No. 7,553,818 also expands on the method-of-use coverage provided by the initial VIVUS patent in this series, U.S. Patent No. 7,056,890, issued June 6, 2006.

"The three new patents significantly expand on the intellectual property coverage afforded Qnexa, and the issuance of these patents indicates that the USPTO clearly continues to recognize the unique aspects of Qnexa," stated Peter Tam, president of VIVUS. "Together with the original Qnexa patent, these new patents provide substantial protection for our Qnexa franchise into at least 2020."

SOURCE VIVUS, Inc.