US patent granted for acne treatment

Related tags Retinoic acid United states patent and trademark office Invisicare

Skinvisible Pharmaceuticals has received a US Patent for combining retinoic acid with its patented polymer delivery system, Invisicare; a product that treats acne and skin cancer.

The patent issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) entitled "Methods for Stabilizing Retinoids, Retinoid Containing Composition, and Methods of Using a Retinoid Containing Composition​," will provide protection for the next 16 and a half years.

"We are pleased to receive this patent which increases the depth of intellectual property protection, especially as it pertains to our high-value acne formulations,"​ said Terry Howlett, president and CEO.

"This patent provides potential licensees with a further layer of exclusivity and will assist Skinvisible as it actively seeks partnering, licensing and co-development arrangements globally to maximize the potential of this recently issued patent."

Resists degradation

Retinoic acid is a retinoid which is commonly used to treat acne, psoriasis and skin cancer. Retinoids however degrade in the presence of light and oxygen.

Skinvisible claims its invention stabilizes retinoic acid, enhancing the life and efficacy of compositions containing retinoic acid. The patent relates to a method for stabilizing a retinoid, and to a retinoid containing composition.

The patent substantiates Skinvisible's findings that Invisicare provides major benefits to the topical formulations it develops.

Exclusive license

In addition to the stabilization of retinoic acid, Invisicare also controls the release of the active, providing a gradual release over time that can decrease irritation caused by the active ingredient.

Since acne continues to be the largest prescription market in dermatology with estimated sales of US $2.3 billion worldwide, Skinvisible has developed three additional acne formulations adapalene, clindamycin and salicylic acid, all of which are available for exclusive licensing.

Skinvisible continues to proactively build and strengthen its global patent portfolio for Invisicare as well as its forty plus prescription, over-the-counter and cosmeceutical formulations it has developed. 

Related topics Regulation & Safety

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