QRxPharma wins US patent for opioid compounds

QRxPharma (ASX:QRX) has received a US patent covering the development of hybrid opioid compounds.

The patent encompasses a hybrid morphine-oxycodone molecule, where the two opioids are chemically linked. The patent expires in 2031.

QRxPharma is seeking US FDA approval for MoxDuo, a formulation consisting of morphine and oxycodone in the same tablet, and expects a decision on the immediate-release version shortly.

The company already holds a US patent covering the use of morphine and oxycodone in the same capsule, granting protection for both the immediate- and controlled-release versions through to 2023.

But the new patent covers chemically linking the two opioids to form a new composition of matter more potent than they would be if administered separately.

QRxPharma CEO Dr John Haloday said the new patent “protects next-generation dual-opioid combination products that are chemically unique”.

The company has licensed MoxDuo IR to Actavis in a deal worth up to US$150 million ($158.9 million).

QRxPharma shares were trading unchanged at $1.19 as of around 1 pm on Thursday.