Cerecor Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing neuroscience drugs that target underserved patient segments of common diseases, has received the key patent No. 8,501,816 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) which includes claims covering its antitussive, FP01.

The patent includes composition claims protecting Cerecor’s uniquely formulated lozenge which provides a dual mechanism of action, delivering both an immediate local soothing effect and the accelerated absorption of memantine, centrally inhibiting the cough reflex. This patent will remain in effect in the United States through October, 2031. Cerecor has filed broadly across multiple geographies and expects to receive approval for claims similar to those granted in the US.

“This patent broadly covers compositions of matter which provide rapidly absorbed memantine as a centrally-active antitussive by the unique pharmacokinetic profile achieved using this proprietary formulation. It also serves as a building block upon which we expand the patent estate of FP01, including a broad range of combinations with memantine, including mucolytics, antihistamines and decongestants,” said Blake Paterson, MD, chief executive officer of Cerecor.

Cerecor’s two clinical-stage programmes address significant unmet medical needs in distinct specialty diseases by targeting glutamate neurotransmission in innovative ways. FP01, currently in phase IIb for chronic cough, is a unique formulation of memantine hydrochloride. A six-week randomized, double blind, placebo controlled, multi-center study of 83 subjects is currently underway and top line results are anticipated early in the fourth quarter of 2013. Presently, there are no approved drugs for chronic cough; existing cough suppressants do not separate from placebo and have high abuse potential.

Cerecor Inc. is a privately held biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of prescription pharmaceuticals whose primary site of activity is in the human nervous system.