Kythera Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. received Notice of Allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for composition claims covering synthetic deoxycholic acid and pharmaceutically acceptable salts. This includes the synthetic form that is used in ATX-101, a potential first-in-class injectable drug being studied for the reduction of submental fat.

The patent is set to further expand the intellectual property protection for ATX-101. It is issuable from this allowed application, Serial No. 12/541,045, titled "Synthetic Bile Acid Compositions and Methods," and projected to expire in 2028. Once issued, this patent will be the sixth patent issued in relation to ATX-101.

In addition to U.S. patents, Kythera has over 70 issued or allowed patents outside the US. Kythera also has more than 70 pending worldwide patent applications and is preparing to file additional new patent applications.

Plastic Surgery Practice recently reported on promising Phase 3 data that showed patients who received injections of ATX-101 had statistically significant reductions in submental fat, as assessed by a 5-point clinician-reported submental fat rating scale and a 7-point subject satisfaction rating scale. These improvements were also confirmed by caliper measurements.
 

[Source: Kythera Biopharmaceuticals, Inc]