Acorda receives patent for AMPYRA tablets to improve walking in MS patients

Acorda TherapeuticsApr 20 2011

Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACOR) today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has allowed U.S. Patent Application No. 11/010,828 entitled "Sustained Release Aminopyridine Composition." The claims of the patent application relate to methods to improve walking in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) by administering 10 mg of sustained release 4-aminopyridine (dalfampridine) twice daily. The patent that issues from this application, which will be eligible for listing in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Orange Book, is set to expire in early February 2026, based on the USPTO's calculated patent term adjustment of 413 days, which the Company is currently evaluating.

AMPYRA^® (dalfampridine) Extended Release Tablets, 10 mg is marketed in the United States by Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. It is approved in the Unites States as a treatment to improve walking in people with MS. This was demonstrated by an increase in walking speed. 

Important Safety Information

AMPYRA can cause seizures; the risk of seizures increases with increasing AMPYRA doses. AMPYRA is contraindicated in patients with a prior history of seizure. Discontinue AMPYRA use if seizure occurs.

AMPYRA is contraindicated in patients with moderate or severe renal impairment (CrCl≤50 mL/min); the risk of seizures in patients with mild renal impairment (CrCl 51-80 mL/min) is unknown, but AMPYRA plasma levels in these patients may approach those seen at a dose of 15 mg twice daily, a dose that may be associated with an increased risk of seizures; estimated CrCl should be known before initiating treatment with AMPYRA.

AMPYRA should not be taken with other forms of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP, fampridine), since the active ingredient is the same.

Urinary tract infections were reported more frequently as adverse reactions in patients receiving AMPYRA 10 mg twice daily compared to placebo.

The most common adverse events (incidence ≥2% and at a rate greater than the placebo rate) for AMPYRA in MS patients were urinary tract infection, insomnia, dizziness, headache, nausea, asthenia, back pain, balance disorder, multiple sclerosis relapse, paresthesia, nasopharyngitis, constipation, dyspepsia, and pharyngolaryngeal pain.