Antares Pharma, Inc. (Amex: AIS) announced that a new broad patent has been issued covering its ATD™ (Advanced Transdermal Delivery) gel formulations used in Anturol® (oxybutynin), Elestrin™ (estradiol) and LibiGel® (testosterone) as well as future products in our ATD gel system. Antares is the sole owner of Anturol and the newly issued patent. Named inventors on this new patent are from both Antares and our licensee, BioSante Pharmaceuticals.
Anturol is currently being developed for over active bladder, has successfully completed Phase II clinical trials and is anticipated to enter pivotal trials shortly. Elestrin is a new FDA approved treatment for symptoms associated with menopause while LibiGel recently entered into Phase III clinical development for the treatment of female sexual dysfunction. Both Elestrin and LibiGel were licensed to BioSante for the US and certain other markets. The patent was issued April 3, 2007 and will expire in 2022.
Jack E. Stover, President & Chief Executive Officer of Antares Pharma stated, “We are extremely proud of the issuance of this important, broad patent to help protect products developed in our ATD gel system. We believe this patent will strengthen the potential commercial value of Anturol as well as further support the commercialization of Elestrin and continued development of LibiGel and other products in our ATD gel system.”
About Antares Pharma
Antares Pharma is a specialized pharma product development company focused on developing patented drug delivery systems and injectable device engineering capabilities. Antares’ current technology platforms include its ATD™ Advanced Transdermal Delivery system, and its related TecTix™ system for topical and transmucosal delivery, its Easy Tec™ oral fast-melt technology, and subcutaneous injection technology platforms including both Vibex™ disposable mini-needle injection device and Valeo™/Vision® reusable needle-free injection devices. Antares Pharma is committed to leveraging its multiple drug delivery platforms to add value to existing drugs and to create new pharmaceutical products and injectable devices. Overall, Antares’ product pipeline, if approved, will address unmet medical needs by reducing side effect profiles, improving safety, increasing effectiveness, and improving patient compliance and convenience. Antares Pharma has corporate headquarters in Princeton Crossroads Corporate Center in Ewing, NJ, with subsidiaries performing research, development, manufacturing and product commercialization activities in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Basel, Switzerland.
Safe Harbor Statement
In addition to historical facts or statements or current conditions, this press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “Safe Harbor” provisions of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the importance of this patent and its potential to strengthen the potential commercial value of Anturol and anticipated commercialization of Elestrin as well as support the continued development of LibiGel and other products. Forward-looking statements provide Antares’ current expectation or forecasts of future events. Antares’ results could differ materially from those reflected in these forward-looking statements due to decisions of regulatory authorities, Antares’ ability to execute on its development plans and general financial, economic, regulatory and political conditions affecting the pharmaceutical industry generally. For a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties that may effect the forward-looking statements, please see the risk factors in Antares’ quarterly and annual reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Given these risks and uncertainties, any or all of these forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect. Additional risk factors include the risk that Elestrin may not be successfully launched. Antares undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement.
