LIVINGSTON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Columbia Laboratories, Inc. (Nasdaq: CBRX) announced today that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE: WPI) a Notice of Allowance for a key patent for the use of progesterone to treat or prevent preterm birth. The USPTO issues a Notice of Allowance to report that a patent application has been examined and is allowed for issuance as a patent. The patent is expected to issue within three months upon payment of required fees.