Biodel Inc announced that it has received a notice of allowance from the European Patent Office for patent claims covering compositions and uses of formulations of insulin for Biodel's two lead product candidates, VIAject and VIAtab, in the treatment of diabetes. After their publication and once they are issued, the patent claims will have a term of 20 years from the international filing date of March 11, 2005.

"We are encouraged by this notice of allowance for an important patent that will expand the intellectual property protection for our lead products," stated Dr Solomon S Steiner, chairman and CEO of Biodel. "We believe this action supports the usefulness and novelty of our ultra-rapid-acting insulin delivery technology and increases the value of our lead products."

Biodel is a specialty biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative treatments for endocrine disorders, such as diabetes and osteoporosis.