Rockwell Medical Technologies, Inc., a leading, innovative manufacturer and developer of concentrates and specialty pharmaceuticals focused on the end-stage-renal-disease market (ESRD), reported that the Hong Kong Patent and Trademark Office has issued a patent for Rockwell's proprietary SFP product.
The patent covers the "Method and Pharmaceutical Composition for Iron Delivery administered via Dialysate in Haemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis Patients".
Rockwell's proprietary iron-delivery product, SFP, is a soluble form of iron called Ferric Pyrophosphate. SFP is designed to provide physiological iron maintenance therapy in ESRD patients by delivering iron via dialysate during a dialysis treatment. Rockwell has licensed the exclusive rights to the SFP patent and is in the process of seeking FDA approval to market the product.
Compared to intravenous (IV) iron administration, early clinical study results have shown that delivering iron via dialysate is a safe and effective method for maintaining iron balance in dialysis patients, while at the same time eliminating associated nursing and pharmaceutical IV iron administration costs.
Rockwell estimates that the US market for IV iron delivery is as much as $450 million annually while the global market potential is approximately $750 million annually. Upon FDA market approval, Rockwell expects SFP to compete aggressively for those markets.
Robert L. Chioini, chairman, CEO and president of Rockwell stated, "We believe the markets along the pacific rim hold tremendous potential for SFP. This patent approval in Hong Kong is a significant step toward commercial realization of SFP in an important market. Overall, we are pleased with our progress toward FDA approval."