SAN DIEGO, July 14, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zogenix, Inc. (Nasdaq:ZGNX) announced today the issuance of a new patent, US 8,734,384, from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The patent covers the biphasic pressure profile utilized by the company's proprietary DosePro® Needle-free Delivery System. The specific pressure profile covered is essential for reliable subcutaneous injection by needle-free technology. In addition to covering the current DosePro platform, the patent is also expected to cover a DosePro platform in development intended for delivery of larger dose volumes.
John Turanin, vice president and general manager, Zogenix technologies, commented, "The expansion of our intellectual property covering the DosePro needle-free delivery technology is a key component of our long-term strategy to out-license the technology via our collaboration with Battelle and potentially develop our own DosePro-based products. The new patent covers the fundamental pressure profile required for a successful needle-free injection and is based on the examination of thousands of human subcutaneous injections during the development of the DosePro technology. It adds to the already extensive portfolio of intellectual property covering DosePro, including recently issued patents covering needle-free delivery of viscous pharmaceutical formulations."
Zogenix has a long-term co-marketing agreement with Battelle for the DosePro needle-free drug delivery technology. The agreement is focused on advancing out-licensing opportunities for DosePro with biopharmaceutical clients. This includes the development of DosePro for dose volumes of 1mL and higher to accommodate a greater number of biopharmaceutical drug candidates, such as higher-dose biologic therapies.
Zogenix's DosePro technology is currently utilized in SUMAVEL DosePro (sumatriptan injection) Needle-free Delivery System, recently acquired from Zogenix by Endo International plc. Zogenix continues to be the manufacturer of the product, having produced nearly 3,000,000 units since launch in 2010. The new DosePro patent will be listed in the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Orange Book for SUMAVEL DosePro and is expected to add five years of coverage to the patents previously covering the product, extending the Orange Book patent expiry through 2032.
