Tioga Pharmaceuticals Issued Key U.S. Patent for the Use of Asimadoline to Treat D-IBS

Tioga Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued Patent No.7,960,429 "KAPPA-OPIATE AGONISTS FOR THE TREATMENT OF DIARRHEA-PREDOMINANT IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME." This patent covers the use of asimadoline to treat diarrhea predominant irritable bowel syndrome (D-IBS) and has an expiration date in June, 2028. The recently issued patent is owned by Tioga Pharmaceuticals. A continuation of this patent is currently on file with the USPTO."This patent augments the extensive asimadoline patent estate and covers the use of asimadoline for the treatment of diarrhea predominant irritable bowel syndrome. The patent will provide market exclusivity in the United States into June of 2028 and potentially beyond with patent term extension," said David Urso, Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel of Tioga Pharmaceuticals.Tioga is conducting a multi-center Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating asimadoline in D-IBS under a Special Protocol Assessment agreement with the FDA for U.S. registration. FDA has granted asimadoline Fast Track designation for the treatment of D-IBS. D-IBS is a common, chronic gastrointestinal disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of abdominal pain and diarrhea.