YM BioSciences Inc, has been granted two additional patents in the US for AeroLEF, the company's proprietary, inhaled-delivery composition of free and liposome-encapsulated fentanyl in development for the treatment of moderate to severe acute pain. US patent numbers 7,648,981 and 7,648,982 extend the life of YM's AeroLEF patent estate in the US to 2024. The company also announced that AeroLEF's patent estate has expanded to include other territories with the issuance of European patent number 1,603,533 and several patent allowances in China, India, Mexico and other territories.

"These patents strengthen and extend the patent protection for AeroLEF in the US, and also expand the global market for this unique and potentially first in class product," said David Allan, CEO of YM BioSciences. "The scientific pedigree and unique advantages of this product have been established and its safety and efficacy have been demonstrated in numerous clinical trials. AeroLEF has met all endpoints in each of its trials including a randomized phase-II trial and is currently being prepared for late-stage development internationally."

US patent number 7,648,981 protects the self-medicating method of pain management in which the pain sufferer inhales a formulation comprising free and liposomal fentanyl in a dose ratio that provides rapid onset and sustained relief from pain without attendant toxicity. Also claimed is a breath-actuated device for delivering the fentanyl formulation.

US patent number 7,648,982 similarly covers a pain relief method and device that delivers fentanyl formulations defined according to the particle sizes and unit doses effective to manage pain by the route of pulmonary delivery. European patent number 1,603,533 and other recently allowed patents' coverage is similar in scope to the recently issued US patents.

AeroLEF's current patent estate in the US consists of three issued patents and two pending patents.

AeroLEF is a unique, inhaled-delivery composition of free and liposome-encapsulated fentanyl in development for the treatment of moderate to severe pain, including cancer pain.