The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issued US Patent No. 8,067,399, to Antares Pharma, Inc., a pharmaceutical company focused on self-injection pharmaceutical products and topical gel-based medicines, titled “Methods and Apparatus for Transdermal or Transmucosal Application of Testosterone.”

The patent covers a method for treating hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) or female sexual dysfunction (FSD) by alleviating clinical symptoms of hormonal disorders related to HSDD and FSD through the convenient administration of a specially designed transdermal or transmucosal formulation. The method may be used to treat menopausal females, including surgically menopausal and naturally menopausal females, as well as pre-menopausal females with low testosterone levels. The patent covers the formulation of LibiGel, a product which is currently under development by its partner, BioSante Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The patent is expected to provide protection until December, 2028.

“As our partner, BioSante, continues to make substantial development progress for LibiGel, we are pleased to announce the issuance of this important patent, providing additional intellectual property protection for the use of the product,” stated Paul K Wotton, PhD, president and chief executive officer. “If approved, we expect LibiGel to become a significant revenue generating opportunity, and this patent provides additional intellectual property protection for the product for a substantially lengthened period of time.”