Tag: PLW

Health Care

Resverlogix Receives Two Patents for RVX-208 in China

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CALGARY, Alberta, April 7, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Resverlogix Corp. (“Resverlogix” or the “Company”) (TSX: RVX) announces that it has received two China patent approvals covering RVX-208. A composition of matter patent, China No. 2007 8 0052349.8 titled, “Compounds for the Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease” was granted until February 2027. A manufacturing patent, China No. ZL 2009 8 0106586.7 titled, “Methods of Preparing Quinazolinone Derivatives” was granted until June 2029.

“These two additional patents build upon the growing intellectual property estate for our core asset, RVX-208. With our Chinese patent life extending out to June 2029, RVX-208 now has the necessary protection required for a regional licensing deal in China,” stated Donald McCaffrey, president and CEO of Resverlogix. Mr. McCaffrey added, “Resverlogix views the ever expanding Chinese pharmaceutical market as an attractive opportunity which aligns with our regional licensing strategy. We will continue our discussions with potential partners at the China Bio Partnering Forum in Shanghai next week.” On April 15th, Resverlogix is one of four selected Canadian companies who will be presenting at China Bio.

About RVX-208

RVX-208 is a first-in-class, small molecule selective BET bromodomain inhibitor. BET bromodomain inhibition is an epigenetic mechanism that can turn disease-causing genes off, returning them to a healthier state. RVX-208 is the first and only BET inhibitor selective for BRD4-BD2, producing a nexus of biological effects with potentially important benefits for patients with diseases such as cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes mellitus (DM), Alzheimer’s disease, peripheral artery disease, and chronic kidney disease while maintaining an excellent safety profile. Resverlogix is planning to study RVX-208 in a proposed Phase 3 clinical trial in CVD patients with DM and low HDL.

About Resverlogix

Resverlogix Corp. is developing RVX-208, a first-in-class, small molecule selective BET bromodomain inhibitor for the potential treatment of patients with cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, Alzheimer’s disease, peripheral artery disease, and chronic kidney disease. RVX-208 is the only selective BET bromodomain inhibitor in clinical trials. Resverlogix’s common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RVX). For further information please visit www.resverlogix.com. We can be followed on our blog at http://www.resverlogix.com/blog and via Twitter https://twitter.com/resverlogix_rvx @Resverlogix_RVX.

This news release may contain certain forward-looking information as defined under applicable Canadian securities legislation, that are not based on historical fact, including without limitation statements containing the words “believes”, “anticipates”, “plans”, “intends”, “will”, “should”, “expects”, “continue”, “estimate”, “forecasts” and other similar expressions. In particular, this news release includes forward looking information relating to research and development activities and the potential role of RVX-208 in the treatment of cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, peripheral artery disease and chronic kidney disease. Our actual results, events or developments could be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. We can give no assurance that any of the events or expectations will occur or be realized. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions and risk factors including those discussed in our Annual Information Form and most recent MD&A which are incorporated herein by reference and are available through SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and are made as of the date hereof. The Company disclaims any intention and has no obligation or responsibility, except as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For further information, please contact:

Company Contacts:
Donald J. McCaffrey
President and CEO
Resverlogix Corp.
Phone: +1-403-254-9252
Email: don@resverlogix.com

Sarah Zapotichny
Director, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
Resverlogix Corp.
Phone: +1-403-254-9252
Email: sarah@resverlogix.com

Media:
Tony Russo, Ph.D.
Matt Middleman, M.D.
Russo Partners, LLC
Phone: +1-212 845 4251
Phone: +1-212-845-4272
Email: tony.russo@russopartnersllc.com
Email: matt.middleman@russopartnersllc.com

Health Care LIC

Kinex Pharmaceuticals Licenses Patents from Hong Kong Polytechnic University

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HONG KONG, Feb. 14, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Kinex Pharmaceuticals today announces the exclusive licensing of global rights of three patents from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and McGill University. These three patents covered the inventions by Professor Larry Chow and Professor William Chan including novel new chemical compounds that have nanomolar potency against a molecular target named Breast Cancer Resistance Protein (BCRP). BCRP is a protein pump known to pump drugs, including anticancer drugs, from cancer cells that can lead to drug resistance; and also to pump drugs back into gastrointestinal tract, which prevent some useful drugs to be delivered to their target.

The development of this technology, if successful, will expand the current Kinex oral drug absorption development platform. That platform currently includes the inhibition of P-glycoprotein that Kinex licensed from Hanmi in 2011. The lead molecule, HM30181A, has been shown in clinical studies to enhance the absorption of anticancer drugs including paclitaxel and irinotecan into orally available drugs. The lead program, Oraxol (an oral form of paclitaxel), has demonstrated clinical efficacy and an excellent safety profile in patient studies. Kinex is also actively developing other proprietary oral drug delivery platforms. The addition of another oral absorption delivery technology platform will further strengthen Kinex’s arsenal of converting greater classes of intravenous drugs into oral versions.

The terms of this exclusive license include upfront payments, milestones and royalties. Kinex is also committing to support research programs in Professor Larry Chow’s laboratory to further develop this platform collaboratively with Kinex.

Johnson YN Lau, MBBS, MD, FRCP, Chairman and CEO of Kinex Pharmaceuticals, stated, “The research of Professor Larry Chow complements Kinex’s drug development efforts. Kinex is a leader in the development of proprietary oral drug formulation and dosing for some of the important anticancer drugs including paclitaxel and irinotecan which currently have to be given intravenously.  Oral versions of these drugs can be more efficacious and have fewer side effects for the patients. The discovery of lead molecules against another target such as BCRP that can enhance oral drug absorption by Professor Larry Chow and William Chan, if successfully developed clinically, will add to the arsenal of tools for Kinex. We are excited to collaborate with Professor Larry Chow to further develop this drug delivery platform and to convert more current intravenous drugs into oral form.”

Flint Besecker, COO of Kinex, said, “We have learned in the clinic that converting existing intravenous drugs into oral forms opens the door to a wide array of proprietary formulation and titrated patient dosing regimens that are not possible through IV delivery systems. Oral forms of dosing allow the patients to be exposed over a longer period of time to the active pharmaceutical ingredients with less adverse side effects. This drug development strategy has less inherent risks and we are excited of the possibilities to make a difference in helping more patients. Such an effort, if successful, will have the potential to impact healthcare delivery globally and substantially.”

Larry Chow, PhD, Professor and Associate Head of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, commented, “I was impressed by Kinex in their ability to work with Hanmi Pharmaceuticals to advance the research program using a P-glycoprotein inhibitor to enhance the oral absorption of important drugs like paclitaxel and irinotecan and demonstrated its clinical utility. We are delighted that they will partner with us to help optimize our lead compound into a potentially useful molecule in the clinic for other drugs that are not absorbed orally because of this biologic pump system. Working with this wonderful group of industry veterans will allow us to tap into their expertise and to develop this platform further. I am excited with this collaboration.”

Nick Yang, Executive Vice President of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, stated, “To be able to establish successful collaborations between academia and industry is the mission of our University in transferring novel discoveries into useful applications that can help the community and serve the society. We are confident that the collaboration between PolyU and Kinex will open a new chapter for cancer drug development, bringing new hope to cancer patients globally and taking us one step closer to a revolution in cancer treatments.”

Health Care

Mitigating Intellectual Property Liability Risks for Healthcare Providers

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— Real Time Medical announces US and Canada patent approval for its workflow assignment, workload balancing and productivity platform

TORONTO, Dec. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Real Time Medical has just announced patent approval in in 5 global jurisdictions including the US and Canada for its utilization and productivity improvement solution suite.  Making it the only patented, multi-ology applicable (radiology, pathology, cardiology, etc.) of its kind.  Real Time’s solution suite is patented or patent pending in 39 global jurisdictions worldwide including Europe. 

In addition to boasting the highest reliability, highest assignment accuracy and highest throughput solution, Real Time Medical enables Healthcare providers wishing to use a solution with protected IP status to best safeguard their investments and mitigate IP infringement risks. “There have been recent examples of healthcare service providers having to discontinue use of purchased solutions due to those solutions alleged infringement on protected intellectual property and existing patents,” stated Ian Maynard, CEO and Co-founder of Real Time Medical.  “This results in significant cost – lost investment, repeat investment, opportunity cost – and disruption of operations for those healthcare providers,” continued Maynard.   

Use of non-patented software (or solutions without IP right confirmations such as a license from patent holders or Freedom to Operate) can pose an additional threat and undue level of risk to healthcare providers of being drawn into operationally disruptive, time consuming, costly discovery processes associated with patent infringement proceedings.

Real Time Medical Co-Founder and CEO, Ian Maynard, explains: “We believe it is our responsibility to assure our clients of the IP protected status of our solution and the soundness of their investment.  As a result, our clients benefit technically, legally and operationally from an improved risk profile.  In short, having a patent for our workflow and peer review software helps our clients protect their investment.”

Real Time Medical’s solution suite, DiaShare™, is “multi-ology” capable (applicable to multiple medical disciplines. It has already been successfully used for both multi-site, cross-system Radiology and Pathology deployments.  This makes the DiaShare™ the only patented and proven multi-ology capable, workload-balancing, workflow and peer review platform on the market today.  It offers maximum leverage on clinical productivity improvement investments with enterprise-wide applicability. 

Learn more about DiaShare™ at RSNA 2014 Booth# 5713 South Building, Hall A; November 30th to December 4th in Chicago.

About Real Time Medical

Real Time Medical is a diagnostic imaging workflow innovation company. It develops vendor-neutral, context-aware workflow management software solutions. These solutions organize the reporting services in complex diagnostic imaging organizations more efficiently and productively. Real Time Medical’s platform, DiaShare™, improves the quality and accuracy of service delivery to patients with the highest reliability, highest assignment accuracy and highest throughput solution.

Real Time Medical also operates the only nationwide, round-the-clock radiology service in Canada, using the DiaShare context-aware, workflow management platform.

For more information, visit www.realtimemedical.com

Contact:

Real Time Medical
Ian Maynard, P.Eng., M.Sc., MBA
CEO & Co-Founder
media@realtimemedical.com

Health Care

Italian Lower Limb Prosthesis Company Wins Lawsuit Against German Giant Ottobock

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MILAN, Oct. 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — The Italian company Roadrunnerfoot has obtained the right to produce, exhibit and sell its artificial “lower limb”, after the German giant Ottobock sought to impeach their patent.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141027/713097 )

After four years of fighting, the definitive judgement has arrived: Roadrunnerfoot, the small Italian company that designs and produces innovative and accessible hi-tech prostheses with composite materials, has won against global German giant and competitor Ottobock. Now Roadrunnerfoot can resume selling the jewel of the prosthetic foot field, the “Roadwalking”. This uses the revolutionary concept of maintaining three points on the ground, in a similar way to the human roll over, thus creating a new, sound limb for amputees.

This story started in 2010 without sense, because the claim made by Ottobock about the subject of the impeached patent, parallel laminates in a prosthetic foot, is an innovation that has been in production for 80 years.

Roadrunnerfoot Engineering s.r.l., founded by Daniele Bonacini (Paralympic athlete of Athens 2004 and mechanical engineer) has been based in Milan, Italy since 2007. The company designs, manufactures and distributes innovative prosthetics, orthotics devices and wheelchairs for disabled people, specializing in aids made from composite materials. The company’s engineering department uses the latest design technology in their Gait Analysis lab to analysis the behaviour of new design solutions and offer support before, during and after sale.

Design and manufacture in Italy: our engineering approach  

Our mission is “High technology for all users”: high-performance products with ethical prices. Our products are CE marked with tests “outside the company” by Politecnico (University of Milan). They comply with CE 93/42 (regarding medical devices) and ISO prosthetic international standards and are registered by the FDA. The staff consists of biomedical engineers with extensive know-how about biomechanics and composite materials.

Our main innovation concerns our unique design methodology: the “Roadrunnerfoot Method”, which focuses on users’ needs. Starting from Gait Analysis with non-disabled and disabled people, we evaluate the performance, behaviour and sound of prosthetic lower limbs, with the goal of reducing the functionality gap between non-disabled and disabled people and defining the aids components. We are building a strong network of users in order to anticipate the future, to find new solutions and aids, and to improve quality of life for disabled people (as we did for children in Haiti, where we started the first orthopaedic laboratory on 20 February 2010 after the earthquake of 13 January with other companies arriving six months later).

Contact: Daniele Bonacini, info@roadunnerfoot.com

Health Care

ResMed Wins Initial Decision in ITC Patent Infringement Action

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Judge Finds Nine BMC Products Infringe ResMed Patents

Judge Recommends Excluding U.S. Sale of BMC Masks and BMC Humidifier

SYDNEY and SAN DIEGO, Aug. 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — An administrative law judge at the International Trade Commission (ITC) ruled Friday August 22 in a patent infringement case brought by ResMed (NYSE: RMD) against Chinese medical device manufacturer BMC Medical Co., Ltd., that each of nine BMC products named in the action infringes one or more ResMed patents.  As a result, ITC Judge Thomas Pender recommended that the ITC ban BMC and its U.S. distributor, 3B Medical, from importing or selling any of the infringing BMC products in the United States.  Judge Pender also recommended a cease and desist order that would enjoin BMC and 3B from selling, advertising, marketing, storing or testing the infringing products in the United States.  ResMed is the innovation leader and pioneer in designing and manufacturing devices for the treatment of sleep-disordered breathing.

Judge Pender found that BMC’s InH2 humidifier, as well as original and redesigned versions of the following BMC masks infringe ResMed’s patents:

  • iVolve nasal mask
  • iVolve N2 nasal mask
  • Willow nasal pillows mask
  • iVolve full face mask

“The Judge’s decision is not just a victory for ResMed and the product innovation that is core to our brand, but it’s also a win for patients who deserve high quality, comfortable care,” said David Pendarvis, ResMed chief administrative officer and global general counsel. “We will continue innovating and continue protecting our intellectual property anywhere we identify infringement.”

About ResMed:
ResMed changes lives by developing, manufacturing and distributing medical equipment for treating, diagnosing, and managing sleep-disordered breathing, COPD, and other chronic diseases. We develop innovative products and solutions to improve the health and quality of life of those who suffer from these conditions, and we work to raise awareness of the potentially serious health consequences of untreated sleep-disordered breathing. For more information on ResMed, visit www.resmed.com.

Contacts:

For News Media

For Investors

Gretchen Griswold

Agnes Lee

Director, Global Corporate Communications

Senior Director, Investor Relations

O: +1-858-836-6789

O: +1-858-836-5971

news@resmed.com

investorrelations@resmed.com

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140310/LA79234LOGO-a

Legal

Occlutech Wins Invalidation of St Jude Patent

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JENA, Germany, July 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Occlutech, a leading European developer of minimally invasive implants for therapy in structural heart disease, today announced that it has successfully obtained a ruling by the U.K. Patents Court in the High Court of Justice in London, that invalidates AGA/St Jude’s patent -EP0957773B1 in the UK.

This decision is similar in effect to a decision obtained by the Opposition Division of the European Patent Office, (EPO), in Munich for the same patent already in December 2013. The EPO decision revoked the patent in its entirety as it extended beyond the application as filed and the UK ruling states that the patent is invalid due to public prior use of devices supplied by the inventors before the priority date of the patent. Both rulings are subject to appeal by AGA/St Jude.  

AGA/St Jude started litigation against Occlutech for infringing the 0957773 patent in the UK and in Germany already in 2011. While the U.K. court continued proceedings towards the present judgment, the German district court in Düsseldorf chose to stay proceedings until the EPO having taken a final decision on the validity/invalidity of the patent.

Occlutech’s CEO Tor Peters says, “Obviously, we are very happy to, again, get confirmation that we are not infringing any issued and valid patent held by our competitor. Our aim is to develop superior, patented, life-saving implants that make a difference to physicians and patients and we look forward to move this process forward.”

Occlutech has a manufacturing plant in Germany as well as R&D facilities in Sweden and Turkey. Implants such as ASD, PFO and PDA occluders as well as a large range of accessories from Occlutech are available in more than 80 countries.

Legal

Apex Medical’s Respiratory Therapy Product Receives Affirmation from USITC

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TAIPEI, July 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Apex Medical Corporation (Apex, TWSE: 4106), a leading player in the Respiratory Therapy and Pressure Area Care sectors, announces that the United States International Trade Commission (USITC) has issued a final advisory opinion, determining that Apex’s newly designed XT series continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) water tank and Wizard 220 mask are free from the patent claims asserted by ResMed, one of Apex’s major competitors. Apex further declares its plan of introducing an upgraded iCH water tank to the market in October 2014.

In September 2013 Apex requested the USITC to declare that Apex’s newly designed sleep-disorder breathing treatment products are not covered by the claims of seven ResMed patents that were raised in an earlier Section 337 investigation. On July 18, 2014, the USITC issued the final opinion in response to the parties’ appeals on the initial opinion of the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) issued one month earlier.

In the final and non-appealable opinion, the USITC upheld the ALJ’s ruling on the new mask design, confirming that the mask design is clear of ResMed’s asserted claims. Significantly, the USITC overruled the ALJ’s negative finding regarding the newly designed XT series water tank; the USITC determined that the new XT series CPAP water tank is free from ResMed’s patent assertions. The USITC affirmed ALJ’s finding that the petitioned water tank design for iCH series CPAP is covered by a single claim of one ResMed patent. 

Meanwhile, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is reviewing the validity of five ResMed’s patents, including the claim relevant to the iCH series water tank, through a procedure named inter partes review. The USPTO is expected to render its decisions by early 2015.

“The USITC’s decision confirms our masks and XT series are clear of ResMed’s interference with patents. The demand of our products remains strong,” said Apex’s CEO, Daniel Lee. “The decision is a significant approval for our products and R&D.  We deem it a victory for our customers as well as people suffering from sleep apneas,” Daniel said.

The company stresses its goal of serving patients suffering from sleeping disorders with quality, effective as well as cost-saving CPAP products, and affirms its devotion to innovation and its commitment to the customers.

Legal

Milan District Court Confirms the Validity of Alfa Wassermann’s Rifaximin-alpha Patents

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BOLOGNA, Italy, June 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ —

Normix® is the only authorized Gastrointestinal antibiotic based on Rifaximin-alpha. No generic version is allowed.

With the judgment entered last April 18, the district court of Milan, Italy – the court having original jurisdiction on the matter -denied a request from generic manufacturers to declare Alfa Wassermann’s patents on Rifaximin polymorphs invalid. Instead, the court upheld Alfa Wassermann’s claim, asserting the Rifaximin-alpha patent and prohibiting any further counterfeit production, advertising and marketing. The announcement is made by Alfa Wassermann, the Bologna-based Italian pharmaceutical multinational that developed Rifaximin-alpha, marketed under the trade name Normix® in Italy, Xifaxan®, Flonorm®, Rifacol®, Spiraxin® and other trade names in other countries. Approved in 34 countries including the US, Rifaximin-alpha is an oral gut-selective antibiotic indicated for most bacterial diarrheas, including travelers’ diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. Recently, Rifaximin-alpha was also approved for Hepatic Encephalopathy (HE) in the US and in Europe.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140612/690926 )

“We welcome the court decision that has confirmed the uniqueness of Rifaximin-alpha, which is Alfa Wassermann R&D’s most prestigious product and one of the top selling Italian medicines in the US,” said Andrea Golinelli, Chief Strategy Officer, Alfa Wassermann. “The court ruling is a landmark decision for the protection of intellectual property (IP) and the recognition of its crucial value for pharmaceutical R&D and innovation. Without IP protection no scientific innovation nor progress to improve people’s health is possible.” concluded Golinelli.

Alfa Wassermann

Alfa Wassermann is an international Italian pharmaceutical Group with a sixty-year tradition in R&D, production and distribution of medicines of primary importance for people’s health. Its medicines have taken Alfa Wassermann to a leading position in a number of medical areas including Gastroenterology, Vascular medicine, Orthopedics, Rheumatology and Gynecology.

The Group is headquartered in Bologna, Italy, which is also the location of its long-standing R&D facilities. The Group’s international division is in Milan. The Group’s production facilities in Alanno (Pescara, Italy) are some of Europe’s most technologically advanced and make 50 million packaged items annually.

Alfa Wassermann operates globally through 12 subsidiaries in as many world markets. The Group employs 1,400 people and markets products in over 60 countries. In 2013 Alfa Wassermann consolidated sales aggregated to some 400 million euro.

Alfa Wassermann R&D’s most successful product is Rifaximin-alpha, an oral antibiotic for gastrointestinal disorders that is the market leader in Italy, but is also available in many other world countries, including the US. Rifaximin-alpha approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been a highly prestigious recognition for a medicine that is the fruit of Italian R&D.

For further information please visit http://www.alfawassermann.com

Media contact:
Angela Del Giudice
+39-06-6788870
a.delgiudice@vrelations.it