Neothetics Announces Reaffirmation of Patents and Termination of Reexamination Challenge by United States Patent and Trademark Office

Print 06 August 2015

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 6, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Neothetics, Inc. (Nasdaq:NEOT), a clinical-stage specialty pharmaceutical company developing therapeutics for the aesthetic market, today announced the reaffirmation of all claims of two of its issued patents by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and termination of the reexamination challenges that were initiated by a third party. Both patents are directed to methods of treatment for Neothetics' lead asset, LIPO-202, the first non-invasive injectable drug candidate for reduction of central abdominal bulging due to subcutaneous fat in non-obese subjects.

George Mahaffey, Neothetics' president and chief executive officer, stated: "We are pleased to have received notice from the USPTO that it has concluded its reexamination proceedings related to two of our issued patents and the result is in our favor. We are encouraged that the emergence of patents from the reexamination process typically results in a strengthening of assets by reducing the likelihood of a future finding of invalidity or unenforceability based upon a prior art assertion. We are confident that we have a robust intellectual property portfolio protecting our lead body contouring product candidate, LIPO-202, which is currently in pivotal Phase 3 trials."

These proceedings began in September 2014, when a law firm representing one or more unidentified third parties filed two separate Requests for Ex Parte Reexamination with the USPTO against all claims of U.S. Patent No. 8,420,625, or the '625 patent, and all claims of Neothetics' U.S. Patent No. 8,404,750, or the '750 patent. The USPTO granted each request for reexamination and later issued office communications with respect to each patent. Neothetics responded to both communications, and on July 31, 2015, the USPTO issued notices confirming the patentability of all claims of both the '625 and '750 patents and terminated both reexamination proceedings.

About LIPO-202

LIPO-202 is an injectable formulation of salmeterol xinafoate, a well-known long-acting ß2-adrenergic receptor agonist used in several FDA-approved drugs, including ADVAIR® for asthma. Neothetics' studies suggest that salmeterol xinafoate also activates ß2-adrenergic receptors on fat cells, triggering the breakdown of triglycerides stored in the cells, causing them to shrink by means of a natural process called lipolysis. LIPO-202 is being developed as a non-surgical, convenient method to reduce non-obese individuals' central abdominal bulging due to subcutaneous fat – commonly referred to as a pot-belly, stomach rolls, or a pouch.

About Neothetics, Inc.

Neothetics is a clinical-stage specialty pharmaceutical company developing therapeutics for the aesthetic market. The lead product candidate, LIPO-202, is for central abdominal bulging due to subcutaneous fat in non-obese subjects, an indication for which there is no FDA-approved drug. If approved, LIPO-202 may be a best-in-class non-surgical, non-ablative procedure and first-in-class injectable formulation for localized fat reduction and body contouring. For more information on Neothetics, please visit www.neothetics.com.

Neothetics, LIPO-202, LIPO-102 and the Neothetics' logo are trademarks or registered trademarks ofNeothetics, Inc. Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.

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