On February 21, 2007 two companies announced that they had either received a Notice of Allowance or an issued patent for dermatologically related technologies.
Barrier Therapeutics, Inc. announced the issuance of U.S. Patent No. 7,179,475 titled "Anhydrous Topical Skin Preparations." Barrier stated that this patent covers a formulation of ketoconazole, which is marketed under the trade name Xolegel® for the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis. According to its press release, this product was approved by the FDA in July 2006 and was launched by Barrier last November.
The '475 patent claims priority back to December 4, 1998 as a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Patent No. 6,238,683. Briefly, the patent claims relate to compositions, methods of delivery, and methods of treatment comprising anhydrous gel formulations containing ten components, including ketoconazole. Representative independent claim 1 recites:
1. An anhydrous composition formulated for topical delivery consisting of: (a) propylene glycol, (b) polyethylene glycol, (c) glycerin, (d) about 1.0 to about 50 percent by weight of ethanol, (e) ketoconazole, (f) PPG-15 stearyl ether, (g) hydroxypropyl cellulose, (h) ascorbic acid, (i) butylated hydroxytoluene, and (j) citric acid, wherein the composition is formulated as a gel.
Provectus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that it has received a Notice of Allowance for its U.S. patent application covering formulations and uses of topical cosmetic and medicinal compositions for treatment of facial acne. Provectus stated that the claims cover its over-the-counter product, Pure-Stick®, a solid formulation used for treating acne. The company is looking to license or sell its non-prescription products, such as Pure-Stick® and its anti-microbial spray, Pure-ific®, in certain markets.
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