Ann: Key Patent Allowed in Japan, page-2

Topped up. One to watch in 2017 IMO.
"Dimerix key patent allowed in Japan for use of lead drug candidate in the treatment of kidney disease MELBOURNE, Australia, 31 January 2017: Dimerix Limited (ASX: DXB), a clinical stage biotechnology company committed to discovering and developing new therapeutic treatments identified using its proprietary screening assay, today announced the Japanese Patent Office has allowed a key patent covering the use of its lead compound DMX-200 for the treatment of kidney disease. The allowed claims under Japanese patent application no. 2013-547780, entitled “Combination Therapy” cover the use of the chemokine receptor blocker propagermanium and angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), irbesartan, to be used in combination to treat a range of diseases. This Japanese Patent covers the adjunct therapy currently in clinical trials in Australia. Dimerix’s granted US and Australian patents contain claims which cover CCR2 antagonists and ARBs more broadly. Additional applications are pending in Japan. Dimerix’s lead program, DMX-200, is currently in Phase II clinical trials for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and has been granted US Orphan Drug Designation status for a condition called Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) which is a leading cause of kidney failure in adults. DMX-200 has been shown to improve the outcome of chronic kidney disease by significantly reducing proteinuria in animal models of the disease. DMX-200 combines two existing drugs, a chemokine receptor blocker (propagermanium), used under prescription in Japan for treatment of hepatitis and available elsewhere as a dietary supplement, and an angiotensin receptor blocker (irbesartan), used for the treatment of hypertension. Dimerix Chief Executive Officer Kathy Harrison said, “As we continue to meet our clinical and commercial milestones, this new patent will further strengthen Dimerix’s commercial and partnering potential in one of the world’s largest and most important markets for innovative new medical therapies.” When granted the patent will provide exclusivity in Japan through to 2032.