Flamel files patent application for combination of Asacard with COX-2 inhibitors

French company Flamel Technologies has filed a patent application in the US regarding the combination of COX-2 inhibitors with Asacard, its Micropump- enabled formulation of aspirin, to address the problems of thrombosis observed with patients who are taking COX-2 inhibitors.

'The rationale of this combination, is that COX-1 provides for the formation of thromboxane, which is the cause of thrombosis,' explained Dr Gerard Soula, Flamel's founder, chairman, and ceo. 'Aspirin is well known to block COX-1, and that's why it is used for cardiovascular disease treatment. However, aspirin also can create severe side effects such as ulceration, by blocking COX-1 throughout the body.

'We have developed a controlled release aspirin that we believe is capable of selectively inhibiting the COX-1 which generates the thromboxane in the portal vein, while not inhibiting the presence of COX-1 in the rest of the body. This can serve to potentially reduce bleeding in the stomach which can be caused by aspirin.'

Flamel's Asacard formulation has been approved in 11 countries in Europe, but has not yet been marketed.