Mapi Pharma Ltd., a developer of complex bulk active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), generic and innovative intermediates, and finished dosage forms based on selected drug delivery systems, has received a United States patent for Tapentadol. Tapentadol is indicated in the US and Europe for the oral treatment of moderate-to-severe acute pain.

US Patent number 8,410,176 B2  is titled intermediate compounds and processes for the preparation of Tapentadol and related compounds. Mapi's innovative process enables the company to obtain Tapentadol in an optically active pure form. The process is cost effective, uses easily available reagents and fits scalable industrial processes.

Tapentadol is indicated for the relief of moderate-to-severe acute pain. This segment of pain relievers has continuously grown during the last decade as a result of improved delivery technologies, increased physician recognition of the need for effective pain treatment, and the rising requirement for pain medication by the growing ageing population.

“The patent acceptance announced today is Mapi’s second in just one month. The first was for a long acting depot formulation of Glatiramer acetate for the treatment of MS. Both patents strengthen Mapi’s patent position, support the business plan  and  advance the company one step closer to bringing patients improved medications at affordable prices,” said Ehud Marom president & CEO, Mapi Pharma. “The pain relief market requires  a specific expertise in dealing with potent pharmaceuticals. Mapi is uniquely positioned to answer the growing needs of this market.”

The moderate-to-severe acute pain relief market is a growing therapeutic area. It is currently estimated at about US$10 billion and is expected to continue expanding for the foreseeable future.