Ampio awarded composition of matter patent for Ampion in Europe

Dec 7 2011

Ampio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMPE) ("Ampio" or the "Company"), a company that discovers and develops new uses for previously approved drugs and new molecular entities ("NMEs"), today announced receipt of notification of the granting of a European patent with broad claims directed to compositions containing DA-DKP, a cyclic dipeptide diketopiperazine which is the active ingredient of Ampion™.  The patent also includes claims for these compositions that target clinical treatments for inflammation and inflammatory diseases and conditions, such as arthritis and allergies.

Dr. David Bar-Or, Ampio's Chief Scientific Officer, noted "This is an important, composition of matter patent that complements the already extensive and robust portfolio of worldwide issued patents for Ampion™. The mechanism of action of Ampion™, an innate human biological small molecular weight compound, is unique as it not only inhibits the early activation of memory T cells but also affects an upstream event in inflammation by tightening vascular permeability among other effects."

Dr. Vaughan Clift, Ampio's Chief Regulatory Officer further noted " We believe that multiple inflammatory conditions might benefit from this biological drug and the company is currently testing two such indications in clinical trials:

• The Ampion™-In-Knee (AIK) clinical trial for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee being conducted in Australia.  This trial was recently expanded to include a direct comparison to steroids and vehicle control and is expected to conclude by the end of this year.
• The IRB approved, randomized, vehicle-controlled, double-blinded study conducted at Centers for Allergy and Asthma in Denver, Colorado for the treatment of rhinitis.  This trial indicated that Ampion™ provides safe and effective anti-inflammatory relief when administered in nasal spray formulation to patients with nasal inflammation (rhinitis)."