SuperGen Inc has been issued U.S. Patent No. 6,485,514, covering the local delivery of 9-nitrocamptothecin (Orathecin) via stents and/or catheters to sites of proliferating cells.

"Delivery of Orathecin via stent or catheter is an intriguing premise," said Dr. Joseph Rubinfeld, chairman and chief executive officer of SuperGen. "Data gathered from clinical studies involving thousands of patients has suggested that Orathecin is able to reduce or eliminate certain types of cell proliferation. In addition, we believe that Orathecin may be less toxic because of its high intrinsic activity than other compounds currently delivered by stents and catheters.

"Stent- or catheter-delivered Orathecin may be beneficial in certain types of cardiac procedures, such as ablation or angioplasty, as well as for direct injection into a certain number of solid tumors," added Dr. Rubinfeld. "Going forward, we will further explore this possibility."