Atrix Laboratories, Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on advanced drug delivery, announced that the U.S. Patent office issued patent number 6,565,874 on May 20th, 2003 which effectively extends patent protection for the prostate cancer products franchise, Eligard (leuprolide acetate for injectable suspension) for the palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer, to 2018. Sanofi-Synthelabo Inc. is the U.S. marketing partner for the Eligard prostate cancer products.

"Eligard was previously protected under more general Atrigel system patents covering formulation of Atrigel with a 'biologically-active' agent," said Dr. Charles P. Cox, senior vice president of corporate development. "This new patent is specific to the composition of our proprietary Atrigel drug delivery system with leuprolide acetate, the active component in our Eligard prostate cancer products. By extending our proprietary position to 2018, we believe we have increased our potential revenue generating opportunity from the Eligard franchise."

Currently, three Eligard prostate cancer products have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are available on the U.S. market; Eligard 7.5mg one-month duration product, Eligard 22.5mg three-month duration product and Eligard 30mg four-month duration product. A fourth Eligard product, Eligard 45mg six-month duration product, is in Phase III clinical testing.