Antares Pharma Announces Issuance of Key Patent Covering ATD Technology

Apr 7, 2008 - Antares Pharma, Inc. (Amex:AIS) announced that a second patent extension covering its proprietary Advanced Transdermal Delivery (ATD(TM)) Gel System has been issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The patent was issued on February 26, 2008 and is in effect until August 2021. Antares is the sole owner of the newly issued patent.

"The issuance of this patent is an important achievement in the strengthening of Antares Pharma's Intellectual Property portfolio," said Dario N. R. Carrara, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of the Pharmaceutical Group. "Initially developed for the transdermal delivery of hormones, ATD Technology exhibited the potential for the administration of many other active agents. A first patent extension had been granted in May 2007. This second extension demonstrates the potential flexibility of our ATD system technology to accommodate difficult to deliver drugs for the treatment of conditions such as pain, migraines, nauseas and neuro-degenerative disorders."

The ATD Gel System is responsible for the enhanced bioavailability of ANTUROL(R) (oxybutynin), Elestrin(TM) (estradiol), LibiGel(R) (testosterone), the Nestorone(R) and estradiol ATD contraceptive (currently being developed with the Population Council) and JZP-7 the ropinirole formulation (partnered with Jazz Pharmaceuticals).

ANTUROL for the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB) is presently in pivotal trials. Elestrin is our FDA approved treatment for symptoms associated with menopause and LibiGel recently entered into Phase III clinical development for the treatment of female sexual dysfunction (FSD). The contraceptive Nestorone completed Phase I at the end of 2007 and Phase II is slated to begin mid-year 2008. And a Phase III trial is currently planned for 4Q 2008 for JZP-7.

Jack E. Stover, President & Chief Executive Officer of Antares Pharma stated, "We are pleased with the issuance of this important patent to help protect additional drug products based on our ATD gel system. We believe this patent will strengthen our own commercial value proposition as well as further support the commercialization of licensed ATD Gel products."