Dipexium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a late-stage pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of Locilex, announced that the governments of Australia and New Zealand have issued new Locilex patents. The patents' claims are directed to a novel formulation of Locilex, an antibiotic peptide formulated as a topical cream, and the use of Locilex as a method of treating skin or wound infections. Both issued patents have expiry dates in June 2033.

"These patents in Australia and New Zealand are some of the first issued patents from our 2013 Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) filing in jurisdictions outside the United States," stated David P. Luci, president & chief executive officer of Dipexium, "We anticipate the issuance of additional Locilex patents in other major international markets which will allow us to continue to establish commercial viability of Locilex throughout the world."