Biohaven Receives Notice Of Allowance From U.S. Patent And Trademark Office On Patent Application For Glutamate Modulating Prodrugs

NEW HAVEN, Conn., July 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Company Ltd. (Biohaven, NYSE: BHVN) announced today that the company has received a Notice of Allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for its patent application number 14/385551, which covers certain prodrugs of the glutamate modulating agent riluzole.   The patent application also covers pharmaceutical compositions containing the prodrugs and methods of treating cancer, including melanoma.  Biohaven's glutamate modulating prodrugs are being studied in clinical trials and preclinical studies for the treatment of patients with a number of severe diseases, including forms of ataxia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety disorders, and other neurologic diseases. 

A prodrug is a compound that, after administration, is metabolized in the body into an active drug. The prodrug design and selection pathways pursued by Biohaven are intended to address limitations of the active metabolite of a drug. Prodrugs can be engineered to enhance absorption, optimize pharmacokinetic properties and deliver a lower drug load to attenuate dose-dependent side effects.

"We are happy to receive this Notice of Allowance from the USPTO as we drive the development of our broad pipeline of innovative therapies," said Vlad Coric, M.D., CEO of Biohaven.  "We expect to continue building a robust portfolio of patents around our glutamate modulating prodrugs, covering both methods of use and composition of matter."

About Biohaven

Biohaven is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with a portfolio of innovative, late-stage product candidates targeting neurological diseases, including rare disorders. Biohaven has combined internal development and research with intellectual property licensed from companies and institutions including Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, AstraZeneca AB, Yale University, Catalent, Rutgers, ALS Biopharma LLC and Massachusetts General Hospital. Currently, Biohaven's lead development programs include multiple compounds across its CGRP receptor antagonist and glutamate modulation platforms. The company's common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and traded under the ticker symbol BHVN. More information about Biohaven is available at www.biohavenpharma.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties, including statements that are based on the current expectations and assumptions of the Company's management. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release, including statements regarding the Company's development of glutamate modulating prodrugs and the Company's plans to continue building a patent portfolio around its glutamate modulating prodrugs, are forward-looking statements. The use of certain words, including the words "believe," "continue" and "will" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The Company may not actually achieve the plans and objectives disclosed in the forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. Various important factors could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those that may be expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements, including the significant risks and uncertainties regarding the development of biopharmaceutical product candidates and the potential limitations of intellectual property protection that may be afforded by any patents that are issued with respect to the Company's technology. Additional important factors to be considered in connection with forward-looking statements are described in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 16, 2017. The forward-looking statements are made as of this date and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

For further information, contact Dr. Vladimir Coric, the Chief Executive Officer at  Vlad.Coric@biohavenpharma.com

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SOURCE Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Company Ltd.