MediciNova, Inc. Announces Notice Of Allowance For Two Key Patent Applications For MN-001

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- MediciNova, Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company that is publicly traded on the Hercules Market of the Osaka Securities Exchange (Code Number: 4875), today announced receipt of Notices of Allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for two patent applications covering certain compositions, uses and manufacturing processes associated with MN-001, MediciNova's lead candidate for the treatment of asthma. This news follows MediciNova's recent announcement of positive results from its Phase II clinical trial of MN-001, meeting the primary endpoint of improving respiratory function in asthma patients compared to a placebo.

MN-001 is an orally administered, small molecule inhibitor of inflammatory mechanisms (e.g., phosphodiesterase IV, 5-lipoxygenase, leukotriene receptors) known to be involved in diseases like asthma. The Notices of Allowance received by the company relate to patent claims covering pharmaceutical compositions containing a particular crystalline form of MN-001, its use in the treatment of allergic diseases, including asthma, and methods of manufacture. Once granted, these patents afford the company market exclusivity to 2023.

"The issuance of these Notices of Allowance, coupled with the recent positive Phase II clinical results in asthma patients, illustrates MediciNova's approach and commitment to add significant value to the lead candidates in its development programs and to protect its valuable assets, such as MN-001," said Yuichi Iwaki, M.D., Ph.D., Executive Chairman and Acting CEO of MediciNova, Inc.

About MediciNova

MediciNova, Inc. is a publicly traded specialty pharmaceutical company focused on accelerating the global development and commercialization of innovative pharmaceutical products. MediciNova's pipeline, which includes several compounds in clinical testing, targets a variety of prevalent medical conditions, including cancer, asthma, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, multiple sclerosis, interstitial cystitis, preterm labor and urinary incontinence. For more information on MediciNova, Inc., please visit www.medicinova.com.

This press release may contain "forward looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include statements regarding the initial results of clinical trials supporting efficacy of one of our product candidates, the potential novelty of that candidate as a treatment for disease as well as the effects of patent protection. These statements are based on certain assumptions made by the Company's management that are believed to be reasonable at the time. Such statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including the results of clinical studies and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These assumptions, risks and uncertainties could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those implied or expressed by the forward-looking statements.

CONTACT: Kenneth W. Locke, Ph.D., Chief Business Officer of MediciNova,Inc., +1-858-373-1200, locke@medicinova.com

Web site: http://www.medicinova.com/