State University of New York at Stony Brook Patents for Treatment of Periodontal Disease Enforced
Syosset, New York -- April 27, 2004. The Research Foundation
obtained a series of patents based on revolutionary discoveries regarding
beneficial bioeffecting properties of tetracyclines used in treating periodontal
disease. As a result of the invention, periodontal disease can be treated
with low doses of the tetracycline known as doxycycline on a long-term
basis without the unwanted side effects usually associated with antibiotic
dosing levels of tetracycline. On April 14, 2004, Judge Sifton of the
Eastern District of New York signed an Order which resolved the second
of two (2) patent litigations enforcing these patents obtained on behalf
of the Stony Brook researchers. In recent years, two
(2) generic drug companies, West-ward Pharmaceutical ("West-ward") and
Mutual Pharmaceutical Company, Inc./United Research Laboratory, Inc. ("Mutual/URL")
submitted abbreviated new drug applications (ANDAs) to the FDA for approval
of a generic version of PERIOSTAT. The potential introduction of generic
forms of PERIOSTAT posed a significant threat to CollaGenex and the fruits
of the license arrangement with The Research Foundation. The Intellectual
Property Law firm of Hoffmann & Baron, LLP (located in Syosset, New York)
spearheaded separate lawsuits against West-ward and Mutual/URL in the
Eastern District of New York based on patent infringement. Both suits
sought preliminary injunctive relief from the introduction of the generic
form of PERIOSTAT. Another suit was filed in the District Court for the
District of Columbia against the FDA to prevent approval of the generic
form of PERIOSTAT. As a result of the
patent cases and the case against the FDA, West-ward and Mutual/URL were
prevented from introducing a generic form of PERIOSTAT to the marketplace.
West-ward settled its case with CollaGenex in November of 2003 and Mutual/URL
entered into a settlement agreement which was signed by the Court on April
14, 2004. In both cases, the generic drug companies agreed that the CollaGenex'
PERIOSTAT patents are valid and would be infringed by the introduction
of the generic form of PERIOSTAT. Hoffmann & Baron,
LLP has represented The Research Foundation in preparing and obtaining
patents on behalf of the Stony Brook scientists in the United States and
throughout the world. About CollaGenex
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. CollaGenex Pharmaceuticals,
Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on providing innovative
medical therapies to the dental and dermatology markets. Currently, the
Company's dental pharmaceutical sales force markets PERIOSTAT, which is
indicated as an adjunct to scaling and root planing for the treatment
of adult periodontitis. PERIOSTAT is the first and only pharmaceutical
to treat periodontal disease by inhibiting the enzymes that destroy periodontal
support tissues, and by enhancing bone protein synthesis. For additional
information, visit www.collagenex.com. About Hoffmann &
Baron, LLP Hoffmann & Baron,
LLP is a leading full-service intellectual property law firm which specializes
in all aspects of patent, trademark, unfair competition, copyright, and
international trade law. The firm's practice includes prosecution, counseling,
licensing, and litigation of patent, trademark, and copyright-related
issues worldwide. Based in Syosset, New York with offices in Parsippany,
New Jersey, Hoffmann & Baron, LLP provides national and international
clients with a distinguished level of service due to the strong legal
experience, technical and academic credentials of the partners and associates.
The firm serves clients in a wide range of fields, including pharmaceutical,
chemical, biotechnology, electrical, mechanical, medical, petroleum processing,
electro-mechanical, consumer products, waste disposal and treatment, nuclear,
computer, superconductivity, optics, lasers, and e-commerce. For additional
information, visit www.hoffmannbaron.com. PERIOSTAT is a registered
trademark of CollaGenex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Press Contact: |