Patents to Cover Methods of Use and Diagnostic Methods for Identifying Anti-Progestin Sensitive Tumors
Issuance Will Ensure Comprehensive Protection of Onapristone
FLEMINGTON, N.J. , May 7, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arno Therapeutics, Inc. (OTCQB:ARNI), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company primarily focused on the development of therapeutics for cancer and other life threatening diseases, today announced that it has received Notice of Allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for two patent applications related to its lead oncology product candidate, onapristone. The first patent covers onapristone polymorph forms and methods of use, while the second covers diagnostic methods and systems for identifying and treating anti-progestin sensitive tumors. Collectively, the patents reinforce the intellectual property protecting onapristone.
Alex Zukiwski, MD, Chief Executive Officer of Arno Therapeutics, commented, "These two patents are critical for the protection of onapristone, a novel anti-progestin, as we continue advancing its development through two clinical trials, a Phase II trial in women with metastatic or recurrent endometrioid tumors that express the activated progesterone receptor (APR), and a separate Phase I/II clinical trial in men with castration-resistant prostate cancer – both of which are currently enrolling patients. By protecting the polymorph forms and methods of use of the drug as well as the diagnostic methods for identifying and treating anti-progestin sensitive tumors, Arno now has substantially more control over the future of this unique and potentially important new hormonal treatment."
These allowed polymorph and diagnostic patent applications, U.S. Application No. 14/203,814 and No. 13/644,872, respectively, are part of a larger patent portfolio owned or licensed by Arno Therapeutics.
Onapristone is an oral, anti-progestin hormone blocker that has been shown in previous Phase II clinical trials (not sponsored by Arno) to exhibit considerable anti-tumor activity in patients with breast cancer. In pre-clinical testing, onapristone has been shown to block the activation of PR, which is believed to be a mechanism that inhibits the growth of APR driven breast, endometrial and other gynecological tumors. APR has the potential to function as a biomarker of anti-progestin activity, as detected by a companion diagnostic currently under development with Arno's partner, Leica Biosystems.
About Arno Therapeutics
Arno Therapeutics is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative products for the treatment of cancer and other life threatening diseases. Arno has exclusive worldwide rights to develop and market three innovative product candidates. These compounds are in clinical or preclinical development as product candidates to treat hematologic malignancies and solid tumors, as well as infectious diseases. For more information about the company, please visit www.arnothera.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as "anticipates," "expects," "plans," "believes," "intends," and similar words or phrases. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's belief in the protection to be afforded the Company from the patents described herein, the timing, progress and anticipated results of the clinical development of onapristone, including the ability to identify and treat those patients most likely to benefit from onapristone, as well as Arno's strategy, future operations, outlook, milestones, future financial position, future financial results, plans and objectives. Arno may not actually achieve these plans, intentions or expectations and Arno cautions investors not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements made here. Various important factors could cause actual results or events to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, risks that the results of clinical trials will not support claims or beliefs concerning the effectiveness of onapristone or any other product candidates, the ability to successfully develop a diagnostic to identify APR tumors, the ability to finance the development of Arno's product candidates, regulatory risks, and reliance on third party researchers and other collaborators. Additional risks are described in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. Arno is providing this information as of the date of this press release and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.