The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued patent entitled “Pulmonary Surfactant Formulations and Methods for Promoting Mucus Clearance” to Discovery Laboratories, Inc.

The claims of the patent (US Patent Number 8,221,772) provide coverage for a method for promoting mucus clearance in a patient with a pulmonary condition characterized by excessive mucus secretion or impaired mucus clearance such as cystic fibrosis (CF), bronchiectasis, ciliary diskinesia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and sinusitis. The patent term expires in September 2027.

“This patent enhances Discovery Labs’ patent portfolio by providing protection in the area of pulmonary conditions characterized by impaired mucus clearance,” said W Thomas Amick, chairman of the Board and chief executive officer of Discovery Labs. “Combined with Discovery Labs’ proprietary aerosolization technologies, our KL4 surfactant may provide a new opportunity to develop treatments to address a number of debilitating respiratory disorders where unmet needs still persist.”

In addition to this patent, Discovery Labs also has the benefit of certain regulatory designations, including US and EU Orphan Designations for the treatment of CF with KL4 surfactant, which potentially strengthen the company’s exclusivity position for this indication.

Discovery Laboratories, Inc. is a specialty biotechnology company with one focus – to create life-saving products for critical care patients with respiratory disease and improve the standard of care for pulmonary medicine.