Alitair Announces Issuance of Patent Covering its Safer Formulation of Benzonatate

MORRISTOWN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Alitair Pharmaceuticals, Inc., an early stage pharmaceutical company focused on respiratory health, today announced the issuance of U.S. Patent No. 8,357,398. This is the second patent issued to the Company for its groundbreaking ion exchange resin drug delivery technology, REA™. This newest patent covers Alitair’s ion exchange resin formulation of benzonatate and includes specific claims for reducing or eliminating the choking hazard associated with conventional liquid benzonatate formulations. Benzonatate is the only non-narcotic prescription cough product available today, but the choking hazard associated with liquid formulations of benzonatate limits its use.

“Overcoming this significant safety hurdle may be the key to benzonatate becoming a successful Rx-to-OTC switch candidate”

“Our oral-solid ion exchange resin benzonatate formulation has been shown to reduce or eliminate the choking hazard associated with this effective non-narcotic cough suppressant,” said Alitair President and CEO, William W. Howard, Ph.D. “Our proprietary technology, REA™, allows us to bind benzonatate to a resin particle, which represents a completely novel formulation approach and resolves this significant safety issue.”

“Overcoming this significant safety hurdle may be the key to benzonatate becoming a successful Rx-to-OTC switch candidate,” continued Howard. “This is highly desirable, because the need for safe and effective non-narcotic cough formulations is great, especially in light of continued narcotic and dextromethorphan abuse despite substantial anti-abuse measures.”

Alitair has filed an additional patent related to its benzonatate product candidate to further strengthen the Company’s intellectual property portfolio. The Company is actively seeking a partner for its benzonatate product candidate and estimates annual sales between $75 and $100 million for a prescription or OTC benzonatate product using its proprietary ion exchange resin technology.

About Alitair Pharmaceuticals:

Alitair Pharmaceuticals, Inc., discovers, invents, and develops medicines for the treatment of respiratory illnesses. Alitair has out-licensed two prescription cough candidates that use its proprietary ion exchange resin technology (REA™), and other product candidates are available for out-licensing. Additional information about Alitair is available on the Alitair website at www.alitair.com.