Aegis Therapeutics Awarded Patent for GLP-1 Peptide Drug Formulations Suitable for Metered Nasal Spray and Oral Delivery

SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwire - Aug 16, 2011) - Aegis Therapeutics LLC announced today that it has been awarded U.S. Patent No. 7,998,927 providing broad protection for stabilized formulations of GLP-1 peptide analogs suitable for all routes of administration including the non-invasive oral or metered nasal spray delivery routes, or injection. Examples of GLP-1 analogs include Novo Nordisk's Liraglutide (Victoza®), Lilly-Amylin's Exendin-4 (Byetta®), and Sanofi-aventis' Lixisenatide, among others, representing a new class of highly effective anti-diabetes drugs that appear to offer additional weight-loss benefits as well. GLP-1 drugs have gained quick acceptance in a rapidly growing multibillion dollar worldwide market.

All currently approved GLP-1 drug formulations require injection once or twice per day. In contrast, preclinical studies of Aegis' Intravail®/ProTek®-based formulations of a number of different GLP-1 analogs have demonstrated excellent oral or nasal bioavailability offering the prospect of a "first in class" non-injectable GLP-1 analog. ProTek® excipients also reduce or eliminate unwanted immunogenicity of peptide and protein drugs. Non-injectable dosage forms of previously injectable-only drugs provide greater patient convenience and acceptance, improved compliance, and avoidance of needle-stick injury and disposal problems associated with the use of needles, paving the way to increased market share and substantial growth in overall product sales. Aegis will seek one or more partners for its non-invasive GLP-1 delivery technology.

About Aegis Therapeutics

Aegis Therapeutics LLC is a drug delivery technology company commercializing its patented drug delivery and drug formulation technologies through product-specific licenses. Our Intravail® drug delivery technology enables the non-invasive delivery of a broad range of protein, peptide and non-peptide drugs that can currently only be administered by injection, via the oral, buccal, and intranasal administration routes, and with high bioavailability. Our ProTek® technology allows creation of easily manufacturable, and stable aqueous or lyophilized dosage forms that maintain product integrity and reduce unwanted immunogenicity of protein and peptide therapeutics. ProTek® technology is applicable to injectable, intranasal, oral, and other dosage forms.

For more information about Aegis, please visit: http://www.aegisthera.com.