EDMONTON, Feb. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Isotechnika Inc. announced today that the Company has been issued U.S. Patent No. 6,998,385 for mixtures of cis- and trans- isomers of its lead immunosuppressive drug, ISA247. The patent entitled "CYCLOSPORINE ANALOGUE MIXTURES AND THEIR USE AS IMMUNOMODULATING AGENTS" is the first United States patent to be issued in this family of patents. These patent claims have been filed in 36 countries. Three patents relating to this claim were previously issued in the following countries; Morocco (No. 26337 issued October 1, 2004); Pakistan (No. 138338 issued September 30, 2004) and South Africa (No. 2004/2270 issued May 25, 2005).
"We have more than 150 patents pending and 16 patents issued related to our ISA247 technology. These patents include compound claims, methods of manufacture, use claims and analytical methods. Our intellectual property position continues to be strengthened with the addition of this new patent," stated Dr. Randall Yatscoff, Isotechnika's President and Chief Executive Officer. "We will continue to pursue additional patentable claims for ISA247 where appropriate."
About Isotechnika -----------------
Isotechnika Inc. is an international biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Drawing upon its expertise in medicinal chemistry and immunology, the Company is focused on the discovery and development of novel immunosuppressive therapeutics that are safer than currently available treatments. Its entrepreneurial management and world-class team of scientists are building a pipeline of immunosuppressive drug candidates for treatment of autoimmune diseases and for use in the prevention of organ rejection in transplantation. Isotechnika looks to become the leader in development of immunosuppressant therapies.
Isotechnika's lead compound, ISA247 is an immunosuppressant currently in an extension protocol of a Canadian Phase III human clinical trial for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis. In addition, ISA247 has successfully completed a Phase IIa trial for kidney transplantation. The Company also has an additional immunosuppressive compound in its drug pipeline, TAFA93 which is in Phase I.
Isotechnika Inc. is a publicly traded company on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ISA. More information on Isotechnika can be found at www.isotechnika.com.
Partnerships ------------
Isotechnika Inc. has a collaboration agreement with Hoffman La Roche which licensed the worldwide rights to develop and commercialize Isotechnika's novel molecule ISA247 for all transplant indications.
In addition, the Company has an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement with Atrium Medical Corporation for the use of ISA247 and TAFA93 specifically with drug eluting devices for the non-systemic treatment of vascular, cardiovascular, target vessel and tissue disorders.
Forward-Looking Statements
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This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements, including the Company's belief as to the potential of its products, the Company's expectations regarding the issuance of additional patents and the Company's ability to protect its intellectual property, involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those in the forward looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the availability of funds and resources to pursue research and development projects, the ability to economically manufacture its products, the potential of its products, the success and timely completion of clinical studies and trials, the Company's ability to successfully commercialize its products, the ability of the Company to defend its patents from infringement by third parties, and the risk that the Company's patents may be subsequently shown to be invalid or infringe the patents of others. Investors should consult the Company's quarterly and annual filings with the Canadian commissions for additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to the forward- looking statements. Investors are cautioned against placing undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
Isotechnika Inc.CONTACT: Dr. Randall Yatscoff, President & CEO, Isotechnika Inc., (780)487-1600 (246), (780) 484-4105 (fax), ryatscoff@isotechnika.com; BarryMire, Account Manager, Renmark Financial, (514) 939-3989, (514) 939-3717(fax), bmire@renmarkfinancial.com; Archived images on this organization aresearchable through CNW Photo Archive websiteat http://photos.newswire.ca.Images are free to accredited members of the media. To request a free copyof this organization's annual report, please go to http://www.newswire.caand click on Tools for Investors.