Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Company Ltd., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company,  has received a Notice of Allowance from the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for its patent application number 14/385551, which covers certain prodrugs of the glutamate modulating agent riluzole.

The patent application also covers pharmaceutical compositions containing the prodrugs and methods of treating cancer, including melanoma. Biohaven's glutamate modulating prodrugs are being studied in clinical trials and preclinical studies for the treatment of patients with a number of severe diseases, including forms of ataxia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety disorders, and other neurologic diseases.

A prodrug is a compound that, after administration, is metabolized in the body into an active drug. The prodrug design and selection pathways pursued by Biohaven are intended to address limitations of the active metabolite of a drug. Prodrugs can be engineered to enhance absorption, optimize pharmacokinetic properties and deliver a lower drug load to attenuate dose-dependent side effects.

"We are happy to receive this Notice of Allowance from the USPTO as we drive the development of our broad pipeline of innovative therapies," said Vlad Coric, M.D., CEO of Biohaven.  "We expect to continue building a robust portfolio of patents around our glutamate modulating prodrugs, covering both methods of use and composition of matter."