For Immediate Release:
November 18, 2015
Traverse Biosciences Announces Issuance of U.S. Patent Covering Proprietary Library of Chemically-Modified Curcumins Exclusively Licensed from the Research Foundation for the State University of New York (RF/SUNY)
Granted Composition of Matter Patent Claims Novel Chemical Structure of TRB-N0224
Stony Brook, NY; November 18, 2015: Traverse Biosciences, an emerging bioscience company commercializing novel drug candidates for the treatment of inflammatory diseases affecting animals and humans, announced today that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted U.S. Patent No. 9,187,406 entitled, “Curcumin Analogues as Zinc Chelators and Their Uses,” which the company has exclusively licensed from the Research Foundation for the State University of New York (RF/SUNY). The issued patent includes claims that cover the composition of matter of the company’s proprietary library of chemically-modified curcumins, including its lead drug candidate, TRB-N0224.
TRB-N0224 is initially being developed as a once-daily prescription medication for the treatment and control of periodontal disease in pets. Earlier this year, Traverse Biosciences entered into a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) with Aratana Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:PETX) to assess the efficacy of TRB-N0224 for this indication. TRB-N0224 is also being evaluated in a number of other potential therapeutic areas of relevance to both animal and human health, as the company continues to explore other promising drug candidates covered in the issued patent.
Mr. Joseph Scaduto, Founder and CEO of Traverse Biosciences, stated, “The issuance of this key composition of matter patent validates the novel chemical structures included in our proprietary library of drug candidates, including TRB-N0224.” He further commented, “This important development adds substantive value to the intellectual property we have exclusively licensed from RF/SUNY.”
The chemically-modified curcumins were co-invented by Dr. Francis Johnson, President of Chem-Master International Inc. and Professor of Chemistry and Pharmacology at Stony Brook University, and Dr. Lorne Golub, Distinguished Professor in the Department of Oral Biology and Pathology in the Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine, both also Scientific Co-Founders of Traverse Biosciences. Dr. Golub was previously the lead inventor of two FDA-approved products, Periostat® and Oracea®, the latter of which is now marketed by Galderma after the company acquired Collagenex Pharmaceuticals for $420M in 2008.
Dr. Johnson stated, “This platform technology builds upon a long history of research, discovery and drug development, which has the potential to broadly impact a wide variety of veterinary and human health conditions.”
“Backed by strong intellectual property protection, these new chemical entities are poised for further commercial development, and I am excited that we have partnered with Traverse Biosciences to advance these novel drug candidates towards market,” added Dr. Golub.
Dr. Sean Boykevisch, Assistant Director, Life Sciences, in the Office of Technology Transfer and Industry Relations (OTLIR) at Stony Brook University said, “We are very pleased that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has granted this composition of matter patent, and we are optimistic that our international patent applications will also come to fruition.” He added, “We are enthusiastic about our ongoing partnership with Traverse Biosciences, as the company works diligently to commercialize these promising drug candidates for application in veterinary medicine and human health.”
About the Research Foundation for SUNY: The Research Foundation for The State University of New York is the largest, most comprehensive university-connected research foundation in the country. The RF manages SUNY’s research portfolio providing essential sponsored programs administration and innovation support services to SUNY faculty and students performing research in life sciences and medicine; engineering and nanotechnology; physical sciences and energy; social sciences, and computer and information sciences. The RF moves SUNY ideas and inventions to the marketplace collaborating with business and industry to create new opportunity and new jobs for New York State. To learn more about the RF visit www.rfsuny.org.
About Traverse Biosciences: Traverse Biosciences is a privately-held emerging bioscience company launched to commercialize a pipeline of novel drug candidates for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and related conditions affecting humans and animals. The company’s proprietary lead compound, TRB-N0224, is envisioned as the first FDA-approved, once-daily, edible prescription medication for the treatment and control of canine periodontal disease. To learn more about Traverse Biosciences, visit www.traversebiosciences.com.
