MENLO PARK, Calif., Aug. 26, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Corium International, Inc. (NASDAQ:CORI), a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development, manufacture and commercialization of specialty transdermal products, announced today that the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued U.S. Patent No. 9,114,238 on August 25, 2015, related to Corium's innovative MicroCor® transdermal system. The patent includes coverage of an array of microstructures, where the tips of the microstructures dissolve or biodegrade upon application to the skin, delivering a range of therapeutic agents including biologics, vaccines and small molecules.
"Our microstructure design, with the therapeutic agent localized in the dissolvable tip, enables the transdermal delivery of a wide range of drug classes, especially where rapid onset of therapeutic effect is desired," said Parminder "Bobby" Singh, Ph.D., Chief Technology Officer and Vice President, R&D at Corium, and a co-inventor on the patent. "MicroCor's dissolving drug-in-tip platform offers patients a needle-free alternative to injections with short wear time, a flexible range of drug release profiles and enhanced safety due to the absence of sharps left behind after use."
The life of the new patent extends at least until September 2031. The MicroCor technology is also covered by Corium patents and patent filings relating to the applicator, the microstructure design, microstructure formulation compositions, manufacturing methods and packaging methodologies.
About the MicroCor® Transdermal Delivery System
Corium's MicroCor system is a clinical-stage platform technology utilizing dissolving microstructures (also referred to as microneedles or microprotusions) for the safe, effective and convenient transdermal delivery of small molecules and biologics, including vaccines, peptides and proteins. Corium recently reported positive topline results from its Phase 2a study of Transdermal MicroCor® PTH in post-menopausal women that demonstrated rapid drug uptake, significant increases in bone formation biomarkers and excellent skin tolerability. These findings reaffirm the advantages of the MicroCor array design. Corium's drug-in-tip technology directly integrates active therapeutic agents with proprietary polymer combinations to create arrays of solid-state biodegradable microstructures to optimize the delivery of therapeutic or prophylactic agents either locally or systemically. MicroCor is designed to penetrate the superficial layers of the skin and dissolve or biodegrade upon application, eliminating bleeding and the discomfort associated with traditional injections. Unlike liquid injectable formulations, the solid-state nature of the MicroCor system enables room-temperature stability, simplifying handling and storage, and reducing spoilage. In addition, there are no needles or sharps left behind after use, providing a safer delivery system for healthcare workers and caregivers. Corium has established GMP manufacturing facilities and quality systems for scale-up, and has developed cost-effective manufacturing processes to support early-stage through clinical development programs.
About Corium
Corium International, Inc. is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development, manufacture and commercialization of specialty pharmaceutical products that leverage the company's advanced transdermal and transmucosal delivery systems. Corium has developed and is the sole commercial manufacturer of six prescription drug and consumer products with partners Teva Pharmaceuticals, Par Pharmaceutical and Procter & Gamble. The company has two proprietary transdermal platforms: Corplex™ for small molecules and MicroCor®, a biodegradable microstructure technology for small molecules and biologics, including vaccines, peptides and proteins. The company's late-stage pipeline includes a contraceptive patch co-developed with Agile Therapeutics that is currently in Phase 3 trials, and additional transdermal products that are being co-developed with Teva. Corium has multiple proprietary programs in preclinical and clinical development for the treatment of osteoporosis and neurological disorders. For further information, please visit www.coriumgroup.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding our business strategy, clinical trial plans, protection of our intellectual property, and the advancement of our technologies and our proprietary and partnered products and product candidates. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and projections and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which may cause Corium's actual results to differ materially from the statements contained herein. Further information on potential risk factors that could affect Corium's business and its financial results are detailed in Corium's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2015, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 30, 2015, and other reports as filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements, especially guidance on future financial performance, which speaks only as of the date they are made. Corium undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events or circumstances after the date they were made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.