The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued the US patent covering Cerecor's antitussive, FP01, a unique formulation of memantine hydrochloride.
The patent protects composition of lozenge, which provides a dual mechanism of action, delivers both an immediate local soothing effect and the accelerated absorption of memantine, centrally inhibiting the cough reflex, through October 2031.
Cerecor chief executive officer Blake Paterson said the patent covers compositions of matter which provide rapidly absorbed memantine as a centrally-active antitussive by the unique pharmacokinetic profile achieved using the proprietary formulation.
"It also serves as a building block upon which we expand the patent estate of FP01, including a broad range of combinations with memantine, including mucolytics, antihistamines and decongestants," Paterson added.
FP01 is currently in Phase IIb, six-week randomized, double blind, placebo controlled, multi-center study of 83 subjects for chronic cough and top line results are expected in the fourth quarter of 2013.