Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (US PTO) has issued the company a new patent for its lead drug candidate Zenvia (dextromethorphan/quinidine), extending the period of patent protection in the United States into late 2025. US patent number 7,659,282 titled "Pharmaceutical Compositions Comprising Dextromethorphan and Quinidine for the Treatment of Neurological Disorders" was issued on February 9, 2010. The new patent will provide Avanir with patent protection for low-dose quinidine formulations of Zenvia used to treat pseudobulbar affect (PBA).

"We are very pleased the US PTO has issued this patent for our new low-dose quinidine formulations of Zenvia in the treatment of PBA," said Greg Flesher, vice president of Business Development at Avanir. "The issuance of the new US patent was a significant milestone for the Company and greatly enhances the intellectual property profile of Zenvia which includes patents and patent applications that claim methods of treating PBA, chronic pain, as well as other neurologic conditions."

"This new patent significantly extends the period of Zenvia patent protection in the US and is an important part of our overall strategic plan," said Keith Katkin, Avanir's president and CEO. "This new patent creates a foundation for our planned commercial launch in early 2011 and will provide approximately 15 years of revenue generation. The extended patent term is expected to considerably enhance the long-term value of our promising drug candidate Zenvia. With extensive IP protection, an FDA approval decision expected in the fourth calendar quarter of 2010, and a strong balance sheet, we are well positioned to create substantial value for our shareholders."

Zenvia (dextromethorphan/quinidine) is a combination of two well-characterized compounds: the therapeutically active ingredient dextromethorphan and the enzyme inhibitor quinidine, which serves to increase the bioavailability of dextromethorphan.

Avanir Pharma is a biopharmaceutical company focused on acquiring, developing, and commercializing novel therapeutic products for the treatment of central nervous system disorders.