CeNeS strengthens patent protection for M6G synthesis and manufacture

UK-based biopharmaceutical company CeNeS Pharmaceuticals has acquired certain patent rights covering a proprietary synthetic method for the manufacture of its lead product morphine-6-glucuronide (M6G) from Innovata. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Based in Cambridge, CeNeS specialises in the development of drugs for pain control, sedation and other CNS disorders. CeNeS ceo Neil Clark said: "M6G is currently undergoing a pivotal Phase III clinical study with results expected later in 2006. We are very positive about the prospects for commercialising M6G as a new drug for the treatment of post-operative pain.

'CeNeS already has good patent protection around the synthetic route for M6G and also expects to receive 10 years of data and market exclusivity in Europe from the date of first market approval. This agreement with Innovata further strengthens our intellectual property position."

Morphine formulations are currently used for the relief of moderate to severe post-operative pain but can often have side-effects, the most common being is nausea.

Phase II clinical trials have shown that M6G given intravenously produces equivalent analgesia to morphine to combat post-operative pain and that M6G reduced the incidence of nausea and vomiting when compared directly with morphine.

A Phase III trial directly comparing patients receiving M6G or morphine over a 24hr period is currently underway.