Zogenix, Inc., a pharmaceutical company developing therapies for the treatment of orphan and CNS disorders, announced the recent issuance of US Patent No. 9,549,909 from the US Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO).

The patent, entitled “Method for the Treatment of Dravet Syndrome”, covers claims related to a method for the adjunctive treatment of seizures associated with Dravet syndrome with ZX008.  This patent is expected to provide protection of the associated claims through 2033.

“This represents the first issued patent covering the treatment of seizures associated with Dravet syndrome using fenfluramine as an adjunctive therapy, and is an important milestone for our ZX008 development program,” said Stephen J. Farr, Ph.D., president and CEO.  “We are continuing to pursue multiple additional patent families related to ZX008 globally in order to further protect our lead product candidate.  In addition, we are conducting certain pre-clinical and clinical development work in order to leverage additional potential intellectual property opportunities.”

Zogenix’s phase 3 program for ZX008 in Dravet syndrome continues to enroll patients in the US and internationally.  ZX008 is designated as an orphan drug in both the US and Europe, and also received Fast Track designation in the US, for the treatment of Dravet syndrome.

The assignees of this US patent are University of Leuven and University Hospital Antwerp, in Belgium.  Zogenix secured exclusive world-wide rights to the recently issued US patent and additional intellectual property through its 2014 acquisition of Brabant Pharma Limited, pursuant to a sale and purchase agreement with Brabant.