Trius Announces Issuance of Key U.S. Patent for Torezolid Phosphate

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Trius Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: TSRX) announced today the issuance of Patent Number 7,816,379, entitled "Oxazolidinone Derivatives," by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The new patent, which is exclusively licensed to Trius, protects the Company's lead investigational drug, torezolid phosphate (TR-701), currently in Phase 3 clinical testing in patients with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI). The patent can be viewed on the USPTO's website at www.uspto.gov. Trius also has licensed patents in Australia, New Zealand, and India, and a patent application in Russia where a notice of allowance was recently issued.  Counterpart applications are also pending in additional territories.

"The issuance of this patent adds to our robust intellectual property portfolio for torezolid phosphate, the only second-generation oxazolidinone in Phase 3 development," said Jeffrey Stein, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Trius.  "These issued claims are expected to provide patent exclusivity for torezolid phosphate through late 2026."

Trius acquired worldwide rights outside of North and South Korea to a family of patent applications that provide patent coverage for composition of matter and methods of making and using torezolid phosphate through an exclusive license from Dong-A Pharmaceuticals in 2007.  In addition to the U.S. patent and the four allowed or issued foreign patents mentioned above, Trius has filed patent applications directed to other aspects of torezolid phosphate discovered by Trius' scientists. Patents which may issue from these additional applications could provide patent exclusivity for torezolid phosphate through 2030.

About Trius Therapeutics

Trius Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative antibiotics for serious, life-threatening infections. The company's lead investigational drug, torezolid phosphate, is an IV and orally administered second generation oxazolidinone in Phase 3 clinical development for the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI), the first such trial to be initiated under a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA). In addition to the company's torezolid phosphate clinical program, it is currently conducting two preclinical programs using its proprietary discovery platform to develop antibiotics to treat infections caused by gram-negative bacteria. For more information, visit www.triusrx.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the potential benefits and protections afforded to Trius through current or potential patents and the potential duration of those benefits. Risks that contribute to the uncertain nature of the forward-looking statements include: Trius' ability to obtain additional financing; the success and timing of Trius' preclinical studies and clinical trials; regulatory developments in the United States and foreign countries; the performance of third-party manufacturers; changes in Trius' plans to develop and commercialize its product candidates; Trius' ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for its product candidates; Trius' ability to freely commercialize its product candidates; and the loss of key scientific or management personnel. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully in Trius' most recently filed SEC documents, including its Registration Statement on Form S-1 that was originally filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on November 6, 2009, and the amendments thereto, and Trius' Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, including those factors discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in such filings. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Trius undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

SOURCE Trius Therapeutics, Inc.