Starpharma Holdings Limited has received notification of the grant in the US of a key patent specifically relating to the use of SPL7013 to protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

The granting of this patent means that any product presentation of SPL7013 (the active ingredient in VivaGel) is now protected in the US for an additional five years until 2024, with a possible further 12 month extension to 2025. Given the importance of genital herpes and other STIs in the US, this market is clearly a major commercial opportunity for VivaGel products.

This composition of matter patent is the third patent for VivaGel to be granted in the US, and adds to the already extensive patent coverage for the product in 26 countries covering all major markets.

VivaGel is being developed as a condom coating in collaboration with SSL International plc, the world's leading condom company.

Starpharma Holdings Limited is a world leader in the development of dendrimer nanotechnology for pharmaceutical, life-science and other applications.