USPTO awards Medicis new patent for SOLODYN Extended Release Tablets

Medicis (NYSE:MRX) today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued U.S. Patent No. 7,790,705 related to the use of SOLODYN^® (minocycline HCI, USP) Extended Release Tablets. The new patent, entitled "Minocycline Oral Dosage Forms for the Treatment of Acne," relates to the use of dosage forms of SOLODYN which provide approximately 1 mg/kg dosing based on the body weight of the person, and expires in 2027.

"We are pleased to announce this new patent for SOLODYN, the most prescribed branded dermatology product in the United States and leading dermatology product by dollars worldwide," said Jonah Shacknai, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Medicis. "We believe SOLODYN has novel attributes which distinguish it from other forms of minocycline. This new patent represents another important milestone in maintaining the SOLODYN franchise. We believe these issued patent claims will enhance the growing intellectual property estate of our SOLODYN brand."

SOLODYN has three other issued patents. U.S. Patent No. 5,908,838, which expires in 2018, relates to the use of the SOLODYN unique dissolution rate. U.S. Patent No. 7,541,347, which expires in 2027, relates to the use of the 90 mg dosage form of SOLODYN. U.S. Patent No. 7,544,373, which expires in 2027, relates to the composition of the 90 mg dosage form of SOLODYN. On April 2, 2010, the USPTO issued a Notice of Allowance for the Company's U.S. Application No. 11/166,817. The Company also has a number of additional U.S. patent applications associated with the SOLODYN program on file at the USPTO.