Pulmatrix Receives Key Patents on its Inhaled Drug Delivery Technology and its COPD Drug

LEXINGTON, Mass., Sept. 20, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Pulmatrix, Inc. (NASDAQ: PULM), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative inhaled therapies to address serious pulmonary diseases, today announced that it has received two important new patents from the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

The first new patent expands the potential of Pulmatrix's technology for delivering drugs directly to the lungs. Pulmatrix has developed a dry powder that 'flies' easily through the airways and can deliver a wide range of types of drugs. The technology significantly increases the efficiency of drug delivery and reduces side effects compared to existing approaches.

Pulmatrix's iSPERSE drug delivery technology has already received extensive intellectual property protection.

The new patent makes the technology even more versatile. A drug is typically formulated in the iSPERSE matrix using "excipients"—typically inert ingredients like salts that enhance the drug's utility. The previous patents had provided intellectual property protection for the use of two such excipients. The new patent (US 9744130) adds protection for the use of two more excipients.

"This patent doubles the choices that we have, extending the reach of our technology," explained Robert W. Clarke, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer for Pulmatrix.

The second new patent expands protections for Pulmatrix's PUR0200 drug candidate for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). PUR0200 combines tiotropium bromide, the active component in the billion-dollar blockbuster drug Spiriva, with Pulmatrix's drug delivery platform. Clinical trials of PUR0200 have shown that the product is up to five times more efficient at delivering the drug to the lungs than are the currently marketed alternatives.

Pulmatrix had previously received several key patents protecting PUR0200. The new patent (US 9737518), however, broadens the intellectual property protection so that it's no longer limited to specific characteristics and performance criteria. The new patent includes complete protection for the composition of the drug and certain dose ranges.

"The new PUR0200 patent will make it more difficult for potential competitors to develop similar products or to work around our product candidate," explained Robert W. Clarke, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer for Pulmatrix. "The new claims also will make it possible for us to add in a second therapeutic to create a combination product."

Pulmatrix is now developing PUR0200 in both Europe and the United States, following regulatory pathways that offer quicker approvals and lower costs. Pulmatrix recently announced that it has partnered with Vectura Group plc (LSE: VEC) to develop PUR0200 for COPD for the U.S. market. 

About Pulmatrix
Pulmatrix is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative inhaled therapies to address serious pulmonary disease using its patented iSPERSE™ technology. The Company's proprietary product pipeline is focused on advancing treatments for rare diseases, including PUR1900, an inhaled anti-fungal for patients with severe asthma and cystic fibrosis (CF), and PUR1800, a narrow spectrum kinase inhibitor for patients with COPD. In addition, Pulmatrix is pursuing opportunities in major pulmonary diseases through collaborations, including PUR0200, a branded generic in clinical development for COPD.  Pulmatrix's product candidates are based on iSPERSE™, its proprietary dry powder delivery platform, which seeks to improve therapeutic delivery to the lungs by maximizing local concentrations and reducing systemic side effects to improve patient outcomes.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements in this press release that are forward-looking and not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company cautions that such statements involve risks and uncertainties that may materially affect the Company's results of operations. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to management. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including but not limited to the ability to establish that potential products are efficacious or safe in preclinical or clinical trials; the ability to establish or maintain collaborations on the development of therapeutic candidates; the ability to obtain appropriate or necessary governmental approvals to market potential products; the ability to obtain future funding for developmental products and working capital and to obtain such funding on commercially reasonable terms; the Company's ability to manufacture product candidates on a commercial scale or in collaborations with third parties; changes in the size and nature of competitors; the ability to retain key executives and scientists; and the ability to secure and enforce legal rights related to the Company's products, including patent protection. A discussion of these and other factors, including risks and uncertainties with respect to the Company, is set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 10-K filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 10, 2017, as may be supplemented or amended by the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

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SOURCE Pulmatrix, Inc.