Mati receives patent for novel punctal drug delivery platform

Mati Therapeutics has been granted a U.S. patent for its nasolacrimal drainage system implants for drug therapy, the company announced in a press release.

U.S. patent 8,747,884, entitled “Nasolacrimal Drainage System Implants for Drug Therapy,” covers crucial elements of Mati’s novel punctal plug delivery system for the treatment of ocular indications (PPDS). The design includes mechanisms for retaining the punctal plug in the nasolacrimal system during drug elution, according to the release.

“We recognize the value of securing patent coverage for our PPDS technology. Mati has an extensive international intellectual property portfolio, including patent applications and several granted patents,” Bob Butchofsky, Mati president, said in the release. “We believe the PPDS platform technology can potentially be used to treat several ocular indications, including glaucoma, post-cataract surgery therapies, ocular allergies and dry eye disease, each representing potentially substantial market opportunities for Mati.”

According to the release, Mati is pursuing and maintaining 17 distinct patent families associated with the PPDS system and potential related product candidates.

Forty patents related to the PPDS platform have been granted or allowed during the first half of 2014; 95 patent applications are pending in the U.S., Europe, Canada, Korea, Israel, China, Brazil, Mexico and India. The earliest patent family is due to expire in late 2014; other patent families are expected to expire throughout the year 2034.

Mati has also registered the trademark Evolute as a possible brand name for the PPDS platform, according to the release.