Amira Pharmaceuticals Announces Patent Grant in United Kingdom

SAN DIEGO, April 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Amira Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that the U.K. Intellectual Property Office has granted it patent number GB2460597 titled "N,N-Disubstituted aminoalkylBiPhenyl Antagonists OF Prostaglandin d2 RECEPTORS."

This is the first patent granted of a large estate filed by Amira Pharmaceuticals that describe novel small molecule inhibitors of the DP2 (CRTH2) receptor.  Amira has successfully completed Phase 1 studies on its lead DP2 receptor antagonist, AM211, and anticipates that this compound will be developed for the treatment of respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other allergic conditions.

"This UK patent is a significant milestone for Amira and it demonstrates our ability to gain protection for our lead clinical candidate, AM211, and related compounds in a major market," said John Hutchinson, Ph.D., Vice President of Chemistry.  "It also clearly shows that Amira can effectively develop novel drug candidates and that we are able compete with the best pharmaceutical companies in the world."

The newly granted claims cover novel biphenyl acetic acid compounds, their formulation and uses in Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2)-dependent conditions.  The patent also describes the method of synthesis of this class of DP2 antagonists and their routes of administration for the treatment of DP2 receptor-mediated diseases and conditions.

About Amira

Founded in 2005 and headquartered in San Diego, Amira Pharmaceuticals is a small molecule pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and early development of new drugs to treat inflammatory disease. Our discovery team is building on unparalleled insights into bioactive lipid pathways and complex signaling processes controlling many conditions including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular and fibrotic diseases.  Amira has a partnership with GlaxoSmithKline for the development of FLAP (5-lipoxygenaseactivating protein) inhibitors in respiratory and cardiovascular disease.

Amira combines the rigor of a big pharmaceutical company with the ingenuity and energy of a small company, creating an environment for efficient development of novel compounds and effective pre-clinical and clinical program decisions.  Its scientific founders have successfully worked together for more than a decade and were pivotal in the discovery of a number of inflammatory drugs, including Singulair®.  The drug hunters at Amira are now actively leveraging their history of success to create high-value compounds for the future.  For more information, visit www.amirapharm.com.

SOURCE Amira Pharmaceuticals, Inc.