Mapi Pharma Granted United States Patent for Pain Relief Medication "Tapentadol"

NESS ZIONA, Israel, June 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Mapi Pharma Ltd. (Mapi), developer of complex bulk Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), generic and innovative intermediates, and finished dosage forms based on selected drug delivery systems, announced today that the company has been granted a United States patent for Tapentadol. Tapentadol is indicated in the US and Europe for the oral treatment of moderate-to-severe acute pain.

US Patent number 8,410,176 B2 is titled Intermediate Compounds and Processes for the Preparation of Tapentadol and Related Compounds. Mapi's innovative process enables the company to obtain Tapentadol in an optically active pure form.  The process is cost effective, uses easily available reagents and fits scalable industrial processes.

Tapentadol is indicated for the relief of moderate-to-severe acute pain. This segment of pain relievers has continuously grown during the last decade as a result of improved delivery technologies, increased physician recognition of the need for effective pain treatment, and the rising requirement for pain medication by the growing ageing population.  

"The patent acceptance announced today is Mapi's second in just one month. The first was for a long acting depot formulation of Glatiramer Acetate for the treatment of MS. Both patents strengthen Mapi's patent position, support the business plan and advance the company one step closer to bringing patients improved medications at affordable prices," said Mapi Pharma President & CEO Mr. Ehud Marom. "The pain relief market requires a specific expertise in dealing with potent pharmaceuticals. Mapi is uniquely positioned to answer the growing needs of this market."

The moderate-to-severe acute pain relief market is a growing therapeutic area. It is currently estimated at about US $10 billion and is expected to continue expanding for the foreseeable future.  

About Mapi-Pharma

Mapi Pharma (Mapi) is an international pharmaceutical company specializing in complex bulk Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), generic and innovative intermediates, high development barrier generics and novel finished dosage forms based on selected drug delivery systems. Mapi is focused on developing innovative delivery systems for pharmaceuticals such as long acting depot injections. Mapi has an extensive pipeline of medications that will follow the FDA regulatory pathway 505(b)(2). The company is built on the strong chemical and pharmaceutical R&D capabilities of its founders, a deep understanding of the global market and of regulatory needs and its ability to foster local cooperation and enduring relationships in all of the countries in which it is present. Mapi is dedicated to providing generic and innovative intermediates & APIs as well as developing finished dosage forms - either to Mapi's internal API program, as a vertically integrated company, or generically, to other leading brands. Mapi is headquartered in Israel.  It has R&D facilities in Israel, China and Germany and is currently building an API manufacturing site in Neot Hovav, Israel's designated chemical park. The company has a strong IP position, filing more than 20 patent applications for APIs and formulations in less than three years since it began operations. For more information: http://www.mapi-pharma.com

Press Contact:
Marjie Hadad
Media Liaison
Mapi Pharma
[email protected]
+972-54-536-5220

SOURCE Mapi Pharma Ltd