MONTREAL, Jan. 8, 2008 - Theratechnologies (TSX:TH) today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued Patent Number 7,316,997 entitled "GH Secretagogues and Uses Thereof" to Theratechnologies. This patent covers methods of treatment of HIV-associated lipodystrophy using Theratechnologies' lead investigational new drug, tesamorelin (TH9507). The granting of this patent extends the patent protection of tesamorelin in HIV-associated lipodystrophy for eight additional years.
As previously announced, the product patent for GHRH analogues including tesamorelin, U.S. patent number 5,861,379, granted on January 19, 1999, expires in 2015. The new patent covering the methods of treatment provides additional patent protection for tesamorelin in HIV-associated lipodystrophy until the year 2023.
"This is very positive news for Theratechnologies and specifically for its tesamorelin program. We believe that this will have an impact on the value of Theratechnologies as it will extend the commercial exclusivity in HIV-associated lipodystrophy which is very exciting for us," commented Mr. Yves Rosconi, President and Chief Executive Officer of Theratechnologies.
HIV-associated Lipodystrophy HIV-associated lipodystrophy is characterized by a change in the distribution of adipose tissue (fat containing tissue), dyslipidemia and glucose intolerance. Visceral adipose tissue accumulation with its concomitant metabolic profile is known to be a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. The changes in fat distribution include visceral fat accumulation and/or loss of subcutaneous fat, generally in the limbs and in the face. There is no treatment available for the accumulation of visceral fat found in patients with HIV-associated lipodystrophy.
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