Depomed Announces Allowance of Eighth US Patent Covering Gralise® (gabapentin)

MENLO PARK, Calif., June 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Depomed, Inc. (NASDAQ:DEPO) today announced it has received a notice of allowance from the USPTO for a patent application (Ser. No. 12/749,101) further expanding the patent portfolio around Gralise® (gabapentin), the company's once-daily product for the management of postherpetic neuralgia. The allowed patent claims include claims related to gabapentin matrix dosage forms that release gabapentin to the upper gastrointestinal tract over five to 12 hours and are characterized by specific pharmacokinetic parameters. When issued, the patent will be the eighth listed for Gralise in the FDA "Orange Book" and will expire in October 2022.

"We believe this new patent will further strengthen our extensive Gralise patent portfolio," said Jim Schoeneck, President and CEO of Depomed. "This marks the third notice of allowance we have received from the USPTO in 2012 for applications covering gabapentin formulations."

United States Patent Application No. 12/749,101

A total of 24 claims, including six independent claims, have been allowed from the application, which is entitled "Gastric Retained Gabapentin Dosage Forms."  The claims relate to gabapentin matrix dosage forms that release drug to the upper gastrointestinal tract over about five to 12 hours and are characterized by specific pharmacokinetic parameters relative to an equivalent amount of immediate release gabapentin. The allowed claims will also cover Serada®, Depomed's investigational product under evaluation for the treatment of menopausal hot flashes.

About Depomed

Depomed, Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical company with two approved and marketed products. Gralise® (gabapentin) is a once-daily treatment approved for the management of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).  Glumetza® (metformin hydrochloride extended release tablets) is approved for use in adults with type 2 diabetes and is commercialized by Santarus, Inc. in the United States. Depomed formulates its products and product candidates with its proven, proprietary Acuform® drug delivery technology, which is designed to improve existing oral medications, allowing for extended release of medications to the upper gastrointestinal tract when dosed with food. Additional information about Depomed may be found on its website, www.depomed.com.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The statements that are not historical facts contained in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, those related to the enforcement of intellectual property rights; and other risks detailed in the company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The inclusion of forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation that any of the company's plans or objectives will be achieved. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

CONTACT:
August J. Moretti
Depomed, Inc.
650-462-5900
[email protected]

SOURCE Depomed, Inc.