DAYTON, Ohio, April 9, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Eurand N.V. (Nasdaq:EURX), a specialty pharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and commercializes enhanced pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical products based on its proprietary drug formulation technologies, announced today that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a notice of allowance for U.S. patent application No. 10/713,929, entitled "Modified Release Dosage Forms of Skeletal Muscle Relaxants." Eurand's patent application was filed November 14, 2003 and includes allowed claims covering Amrix(r), a product currently marketed in the U.S. by Cephalon under license from Eurand. Amrix is the only approved once-daily formulation of the skeletal muscle relaxant, cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride, for the relief of muscle spasm associated with acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions.
Gearoid Faherty, Chief Executive Officer of Eurand, commented, "We are pleased to receive this notice of allowance. Eurand seeks to protect all of its proprietary technologies, and we have accumulated a significant portfolio. This application is a particularly meaningful addition for us, however, because of our relationship with Cephalon."
About Amrix(r)
Amrix(r) (Cyclobenzaprine Hydrocholoride) is the first and only FDA-approved once-daily, extended release skeletal muscle relaxant that is indicated as an adjunct to rest and physical therapy for the relief of muscle spasm associated with acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions. The product is available in 15 and 30 mg dosage strengths. Eurand developed Amrix using its proprietary Diffucaps(r) technology, which permits once-daily dosing (unlike other muscle relaxants which are dosed 3-4 times per day). Eurand has out-licensed North American marketing rights to Cephalon, while it retains ex-North American marketing rights. According to IMS, Cyclobenzaprine HCl is the most widely prescribed muscle relaxant in the U.S., representing 37 percent of the 45 million prescriptions written for muscle relaxants in 2006.
About Eurand
Eurand is a specialty pharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and commercializes enhanced pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical products based on its proprietary drug formulation technologies. Eurand has had four partnered products approved by the FDA since 2001 and has a pipeline of product candidates in development for itself and its collaboration partners. Eurand has completed two phase III clinical trials on its lead product candidate, Zentase(tm), intended for the treatment of Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency and has submitted an NDA for this product. Eurand's technology platforms include bioavailability enhancement of poorly soluble drugs, customized release, taste-masking/fast-dissolving formulations and drug conjugation.
Eurand is a global company with facilities in the USA and Europe. For more information, visit Eurand's website at www.eurand.com.
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