Harbor BioSciences granted US patent for Triolex metabolic disease and anti-inflammation drug candidate

Harbor BioSciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:HRBR) today announced that the company has received patent No. 7,776,845 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office which covers its lead metabolic disease and anti-inflammation drug candidate Triolex (HE3286). The patent claims cover compounds including Triolex and formulations that contain the drug or the other claimed compounds. Current data indicates that Triolex is a first-in-class compound for the treatment of responsive insulin resistant pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes patients, operating by limiting inflammation in responsive patient populations.

Triolex is a synthetic derivative of a naturally occurring steroid in humans, which is currently in clinical development. Triolex has demonstrated potent anti-inflammatory properties in animal models of inflammation, but without the side effects associated with the commonly used glucocorticoid anti-inflammatory steroid products.