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CORAL GABLES, Fla., Jul 9, 2010 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX News Network) -- Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners, Inc. (Nasdaq:CPRX) today announced that the European Patent Office (EPO) granted to Brookhaven Science Associates/Brookhaven National Laboratory (Brookhaven) a European patent for the use of vigabatrin for the prevention of addiction to opioids (e.g., oxycodone, hydrocodone) used in pain management. By dampening dopamine release and thus, the euphoria associated with opioids, the opioid/vigabatrin combination may lower or prevent addictive liability without adversely affecting pain relief. CPP-109 (vigabatrin, a GABA aminotransferase inhibitor) is Catalyst's lead compound for the treatment of addiction. Opioid abuse is one of the many substance addiction indications covered under Catalyst's exclusive worldwide license to Brookhaven's international and domestic vigabatrin patent portfolio.
Patrick J. McEnany, Catalyst's Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are pleased that the EPO has granted this patent. As we reported on November 10, 2009, a team of neuroscientists at The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research at North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System received a $1.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to conduct an animal study using vigabatrin in combination with opiates to effectively manage pain while reducing the potential for opiate addiction. This study is currently underway, and we look forward to exploring the development of CPP-109, both here and abroad, to manage the addictive liability associated with the use of opiates for pain management."
About Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners
Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners, Inc. is a development-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of prescription drugs targeting diseases of the central nervous system with a focus on the treatment of drug addiction, epilepsy and neuropathic pain. Catalyst has two products in development, and is currently evaluating the lead product candidate, CPP-109 (vigabatrin, a GABA aminotransferase inhibitor) for the treatment of cocaine addiction. CPP-109 has been granted "Fast Track" status by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of cocaine addiction, which indicates that the FDA has recognized that CPP-109 is intended for the treatment of a serious or life-threatening condition for which there is no effective treatment and which demonstrates the potential to address an unmet medical need. Catalyst also expects to evaluate CPP-109 for the treatment of other addictions such as opioid abuse and obsessive-compulsive disorders. Further, Catalyst is in the early stages of developing CPP-115, another GABA aminotransferase inhibitor that could be more potent than vigabatrin but may have reduced side effects (e.g., visual field defects, or VFDs) from those associated with vigabatrin. Catalyst is planning to develop CPP-115 for several indications, including epilepsy, drug addiction and neuropathic pain. Catalyst believes that it controls all current intellectual property for drugs that have a mechanism of action related to GABA aminotransferase inhibition. For more information about the Company, go to www.catalystpharma.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause the Company's actual results in future periods to differ materially from forecasted results. A number of factors, including whether the Company is ever granted the right to market CPP-109 for the treatment of addiction to opioids and those other factors described in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), could adversely affect the Company. Copies of the Company's filings with the SEC are available from the SEC, may be found on the Company's website or may be obtained upon request from the Company. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update the information contained herein, which speaks only as of this date.
This news release was distributed by GlobeNewswire, www.globenewswire.com
SOURCE: Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners, Inc.
CONTACT: Catalyst Pharmaceutical Patrick J. McEnany, Chief Executive Officer (305) 529-2522 pmcenany@catalystpharma.com Rx Communications Group Melody Carey, Co-President (917) 322-2571 mcarey@rxir.com
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