Drawbridge Pharmaceuticals granted divisional patent in the US

Melbourne-based biotech company Drawbridge Pharmaceuticals has received a Notice of Allowance for US Patent Application Number 14/069,751 titled ‘Anaesthetic Formulation’ in the United States. The patent relates to a variety of neuroactive steroid anaesthetic/sedative compounds, which possess “a number of useful properties with respect to the pharmacological management of several CNS [central nervous system] diseases”, according to Drawbridge Chief Medical Officer Professor Colin Goodchild.

Drawbridge is developing innovative neuroactive steroid compounds for use in critical care situations. Its lead compound is Phaxan, a water-based formulation of the neuroactive steroid alphaxalone, which is used as a fast onset and offset intravenous general anaesthetic and sedative.

The company has had patents granted in the US, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Africa and China for Phaxan anaesthesia and sedation. The allowance of the divisional patent in the US to this portfolio extends the coverage to the use of a larger group of neuroactive steroids and preparations for sedation and anaesthesia in critical care situations.

“The Notice of Allowance for the divisional patent in the US adds significant value to the company, extending coverage to a larger group of compounds for sedation and anaesthesia in critical care situations with coverage to 2031,” said Drawbridge CEO Dr Anthony Filippis. It also complements divisional patents recently granted in the UK and Australia.