Drawbridge wins patents for anaesthesia candidate

Melbourne-based Drawbridge Pharmaceuticals has been awarded patents in six countries covering the formulation of anaesthesia drug candidate Phaxan.

The company has secured patents in Australia, the UK, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore and South Africa, and has also received a notification of allowance for its application with the US patent and trademark office.

Drawbridge CEO Dr Anthony Filippis said the new patents will add “significant value” to the company.

“Since the company was founded in 2011, it has been building a robust patent portfolio around its lead drug candidate, Phaxan, for global use in anaesthesia and sedation,” he said. “The granting of our patent in these countries ... allows us to take another step forward in our development efforts to bring Phaxan [to market].”

Phaxan has demonstrated signs of being safer and with fewer side effects than Propofol, the current gold standard for anaesthesia and sedation. Unlike Propofol, Phaxan is water-soluble and does not lead to lipid toxicity.

This month, Drawbridge commenced a phase 1C clinical trial of Phaxan, marking the first time the drug will be used in a critical care setting. The randomised, double-blind, dose-finding study will be conducted at the Jessie McPherson Private Hospital.

The trial will be overseen by investigator Dr John Monagle, director of Monash Anaesthesia and Pain Management at Monash Health. It will involve 24 patients, with 12 subjects to receive Phaxan and 12 to receive Propofol.