Intellectual Property
Patents
Our patent portfolio contains approximately 100 patent families that consist of over 300 granted patents and more than 100 pending applications. Our portfolio is composed of patents with claims directed to our formulation technologies and related materials, processes, equipment and methods of manufacture. We also have many product-related patents, which by way of example, contain more specific claims directed to particular drugs or classes of drugs in combination with a formulation technology. Our aim is to offer the most effective patent protection possible based on our broad and diversified portfolio.
Our controlled-release Diffucaps® technology is present in a number of products marketed worldwide including: in the United States, Innopran XL; in Japan, NitorolR; and in Europe, Diffu-K, Slozem and Diclomax Retard. The Diffucaps technology portfolio contains a number of patents granted throughout the world, including four in the United States and one in Europe, with expiration dates between 2021 and 2022. There are pending patent applications covering such developments as the design and clinical testing of Diffucaps systems for once-daily delivery of drugs exhibiting pH-dependent solubility.
Our Microcaps® technology is present in Childrens’ Chewable Tylenol and Children's Chewable Advil, chewable versions of the Triaminic and Benadryl brands, Rulid (Roxithromycin) tablets for suspension and in Cibalginadue Ibuprofen. Patents that describe our Microcaps technology have been granted in various countries throughout the world, including six in the United States and four in Europe. These patents currently have expiration dates between 2011 and 2020. Patents applications are pending to extend the Microcaps technology, including rapid dissolution of the taste-masked drug.
The AdvaTab® technology platform for orally disintegrating tablets includes seven United States patents, four European patents and three Japanese patents with current expiration dates from 2013 to 2020. There are more than 20 pending patent applications for this technology.
Our Biorise® bioavailability enhancement technology portfolio includes four U.S. patents, five European patents and one Japanese patent, with current expiration dates between 2009 and 2022. There are over 20 pending patent applications relating to this technology.
Our drug targeting and polymer conjugation technology patent portfolio includes new chemical entity and technology patents, including four U.S. and three European issued patents. These patents have current expiration dates between 2018 and 2022. There are in excess of ten pending patent applications relating to this technology.
Trademarks
We have registered, or have pending applications for the registration of, certain of our trademarks in various countries, which allow us to create brand recognition of our products and enhance loyalty within our customer base.