Theratechnologies Extends Patent Protection For Tesamorelin In The Treatment Of HIV-Associated Lipodystrophy

Main Category: HIV / AIDS
Also Included In: Pharma Industry / Biotech Industry
Article Date: 09 Jan 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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Theratechnologies (TSX:TH) announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued Patent Number 7,316,997 entitled "GH Secretagogues and Uses Thereof" to Theratechnologies. This patent covers methods of treatment of HIV-associated lipodystrophy using Theratechnologies' lead investigational new drug, tesamorelin (TH9507). The granting of this patent extends the patent protection of tesamorelin in HIV-associated lipodystrophy for eight additional years.

As previously announced, the product patent for GHRH analogues including tesamorelin, U.S. patent number 5,861,379, granted on January 19, 1999, expires in 2015. The new patent covering the methods of treatment provides additional patent protection for tesamorelin in HIV-associated lipodystrophy until the year 2023.

"This is very positive news for Theratechnologies and specifically for its tesamorelin program. We believe that this will have an impact on the value of Theratechnologies as it will extend the commercial exclusivity in HIV-associated lipodystrophy which is very exciting for us," commented Mr. Yves Rosconi, President and Chief Executive Officer of Theratechnologies.

HIV-associated Lipodystrophy

HIV-associated lipodystrophy is characterized by a change in the distribution of adipose tissue (fat containing tissue), dyslipidemia and glucose intolerance. Visceral adipose tissue accumulation with its concomitant metabolic profile is known to be a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. The changes in fat distribution include visceral fat accumulation and/or loss of subcutaneous fat, generally in the limbs and in the face. There is no treatment available for the accumulation of visceral fat found in patients with HIV-associated lipodystrophy.

About Theratechnologies

Theratechnologies (TSX:TH) is a Canadian biopharmaceutical company that discovers innovative drug candidates in order to develop them and bring them to market. The Company targets unmet medical needs in financially attractive specialty markets. Its most advanced program is tesamorelin, now in a confirmatory Phase 3 clinical trial for a serious metabolic disorder known as HIV-associated lipodystrophy. The Company also has other projects at earlier stages of development.

Forward-looking statements

This press release includes "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release, including statements regarding the impact of the patent on the value of Theratechnologies, may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation and regulation.

Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "plan", "foresee", "believe" or "continue" or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to have been correct.

Investors and others are cautioned that undue reliance should not be placed on any forward-looking statements. For more information on the risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause the Company's actual results to differ from current expectations, please refer to the Company's public filings available at http://www.sedar.com. In particular, further details and descriptions of these and other factors are disclosed in the "Risk and Uncertainties" section of the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended November 30, 2006.

The forward-looking statements in this press release reflect the Company's expectations as of January 8, 2008 and are subject to change after this date. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or intention to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Theratechnologies