Pro-Pharmaceuticals receives method patent regarding DAVANAT in Japan

Pro-Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Apr 25 2011

Pro-Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTC: PRWP), the leading developer of therapeutics that target Galectin proteins to treat cancer and fibrosis, today announced that the Japan Patent Office has accepted a new patent, No. 2002-574987, "Co-administration of a Polysaccharide with a Chemotherapy for the Treatment of Cancer". The patent protects, among other things, methods for reducing the toxicity of chemotherapies in which a polysaccharide, such as the Company's lead drug DAVANAT^®, is co-administered with a chemotherapeutic agent to reduce toxicity of the chemotherapy. This is the seventh patent in Pro-Pharmaceuticals growing patent portfolio that covers its core Galectin-targeting compounds and further reinforces the proprietary nature of DAVANAT^®, the Company's lead drug, in major markets around the world.

“Co-administration of a Polysaccharide with a Chemotherapy for the Treatment of Cancer”

In 2010, the Japanese pharmaceutical market was the second largest in the world, with a value of $58.5 billion, according to Visiongain, an independent business information provider.

"We continue to strengthen our intellectual property portfolio beyond the U.S. We expect similar success with additional patent applications pending in Europe, Brazil, and other key markets," said Peter G. Traber, M.D., President and CEO, Pro-Pharmaceuticals. "The new patent covers the administration of a therapeutic agent to cancer patients to enhance efficacy while substantially reducing toxicity and the well-known, undesirable side effects suffered by most chemotherapy patients. The patent also allows claims for the composition of matter for DAVANAT^® itself.

"Our technology improves the efficacy and safety profile of chemotherapy by targeting Galectins, which are proteins involved in the progression of cancer. Based on data in our own studies as well as third party studies at major international laboratories, we are confident that our Galectin-targeting compounds will soon play a major role in advancing the treatment of cancer and liver fibrosis," said Anatole Klyosov, Ph.D., D.Sc., Chief Scientist, Pro-Pharmaceuticals.