Wednesday, February 27, 2008

CombinatoRx collects patent on drug cocktail

Biotechnology firm CombinatoRx Inc. reports it has garnered a U.S. patent on drug combinations for the treatment of inflammatory disorders.

The patent includes claims that cover CRx-191, the Cambridge biotech's topical dermatology drug candidate, as well as other potential treatments. The patent is due to expire in 2022.

CombinatoRx (Nasdaq: CRXX) is developing CRx-191, which is a combination of tricyclic antidepressants and glucocorticosteriods, to treat inflammation of the skin. The drug is in Phase 2 clinical trials for plaque psoriasis, and the firm has completed a safety study of the treatment for skin atrophy.

CombinatoRx, which combines approved drug molecules for new uses, reported a 2006 net loss of $34.3 million on revenue of $13.3 million. The biotech employs 144 workers.