The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued patent No. 8,163,795 to Marshall Edwards Inc., an oncology company, covering the lead drug candidate ME-143 for use in treating cancer. The patent is expected to provide protection until September 2025.

The company also announced that it has received notices of allowance from the Japanese Patent Office for two patents that cover the ME-143 and ME-344 compositions of matter, respectively, and their use in treating cancer.

“This key US patent for ME-143 follows on the heels of a related patent for ME-344 as well as a composition patent for both compounds, solidifying the intellectual property position surrounding our two lead oncology drug candidates,” said Daniel P Gold, PhD, president and chief executive officer of Marshall Edwards. “As we prepare for our upcoming phase II clinical trials, we believe our strong patent estate will help to facilitate our partnering efforts both in the US and in high growth markets abroad.”

Marshall Edwards owns exclusive worldwide rights to all of its drug candidates, including ME-143 and ME-344. The company’s intellectual property portfolio now includes 15 issued US patents, at least 12 additional US patent applications, and more than 70 issued foreign patents and 50 foreign patent applications.

Marshall Edwards, Inc. is focused on the clinical development of novel therapeutics targeting cancer metabolism.