The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has allowed three new patents covering the A P Pharma Inc’s lead product candidate, APF530, which is being developed for the prevention of both acute- and delayed-onset chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). The newly allowed patents, when issued, will extend the patent life around APF530 through 2024.

“The newly allowed patents are instrumental in bolstering APF530’s overall patent life and will extend the intellectual property protection surrounding the product through 2024,” said John B Whelan, president and chief executive officer, A P Pharma. “A P Pharma continues to make advancements related to APF530 beyond clinical and regulatory development, and the allowance of these patents provides added strength to the APF530 patent estate and will help support the product’s longevity.”

U S Patent application number 13/279,949, entitled “Process for Preparing a Semi-Solid Delivery Vehicle Comprising Granisetron,” relates to methods for preparing extended release formulations of granisetron.

U S Patent application number 13/279,938, entitled “Methods of Treating Emesis Utilizing Semi-Solid Pharmaceutical Compositions Comprising Granisetron,” relates to methods for the treatment of emesis using extended release formulations of granisetron.

U S Patent application number 12/564,881, entitled “Semi-Solid Delivery Vehicle and Pharmaceutical Compositions for Delivery of Granisetron,” relates to compositions for extended delivery of granisetron.

A P Pharma's lead product, APF530, is in development for the prevention of both acute-onset and delayed-onset chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). APF530 contains the 5-HT3 antagonist, granisetron, formulated in the Company’s proprietary Biochronomer drug delivery system, which allows therapeutic drug levels to be maintained for five days with a single subcutaneous injection. Intravenous and oral formulations containing granisetron are approved for the prevention of acute-onset CINV, but not delayed-onset CINV. Granisetron was selected because it is widely prescribed by physicians based on a well-established record of safety and efficacy.

A P Pharma is a specialty pharmaceutical company developing products using its proprietary Biochronomer polymer-based drug delivery technology.