TAINAN, Taiwan, Dec. 20 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- ScinoPharm has just been awarded an US patent that relates to the preparation of SN-38, a key intermediate in the synthesis of irinotecan. The US patent, No. 7,151,179, entitled "Process for the Preparation of 7-Alkyl-10-Hydroxy-20(S)- Camptothecin," was issued on December 19, 2006 by the US Patent and Trademark Office (PTO).
SN-38, the active metabolite of irinotecan (CPT-11), is widely used by many new drug companies to develop new camptothecin derivatives. ScinoPharm's proprietary process, circumventing the previous photo chemistry, leads to an enhanced efficiency in the synthesis of SN-38, and hence improves also the cost-efficiency of manufacturing irinotecan as a whole.
"The newly granted patent ensures our competitive edge as one of the leading manufacturers and suppliers for irinotecan," said Dr. Hardy Chan, Executive Vice President and CSO of ScinoPharm. "Aside from the cost- efficiency, this proprietary process also provides a safeguard to our customers without infringement concerns," he added.
ScinoPharm is the first filer of Drug Master File (DMF) for irinotecan HCI with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). So far, the company has filed DMF registrations for its irinotecan HCI in 32 other countries where DMF registrations are prerequisites to receiving approvals to market irinotecan HCI after substance patent expirations.
ScinoParm now has 8 patents granted, and 10 additional patents pending with the US Patent Office and its counterparts worldwide. The company's patent portfolio is centered on process innovation in the syntheses of advanced intermediates and active pharmaceutical ingredients.
About ScinoPharm Taiwan
ScinoPharm Taiwan Ltd. is a leading process R&D and API manufacturing service provider to the global pharmaceutical industry. With cGMP production facilities, ScinoPharm offers a wide portfolio of services ranging from custom synthesis for early phase pharmaceutical activities to brand companies as well as APIs for the generic industry.
ScinoPharm currently serves more than 135 customers worldwide, including some of the largest brand companies and almost all major generic companies.
ScinoPharm has also developed a broad portfolio of API products in the oncological, hormonal, antibiotics, and CNS arenas. To enable timely market launch, the company has been filing DMFs in as many countries as possible. To date, it has over 170 DMF registrations worldwide, 22 of which were filed in the US. For more information, please visit http://www.scinopharm.com .
Media Contact: Jessie Wang Tel: +886-6-505-2888 #2880 Email: Jessie.wang@scinopharm.com.tw
Taiwan
ScinoPharmCONTACT: Jessie Wang of ScinoPharm Taiwan, +886-6-505-2888 #2880, orJessie.wang@scinopharm.com.tw
Web site: http://www.scinopharm.com/
