Unigen Awarded New Patent

LACEY, Wash.—Unigen Pharmaceuticals (www.unigenpharma.com) received notice that it is being awarded a U.S. patent covering free B-ring flavonoids derived from Chinese skullcap, part of its novel joint health ingredient Univestin™. The ingredient is a proprietary blend of flavans from Acacia catechu and the free B-ring flavonoids from Scutellaria baicalensis. Earlier patents were issued on Univestin’s composition and usage, as well as the flavans extract, which works to modulate COX/LOX-mediated inflammatory conditions.

Among the new patent’s specifically allowable claims is a “method for treating osteoarthritis ... [with] an effective amount of a composition comprising a free B-ring flavonoid or a composition containing a mixture of free B-ring flavonoids and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” through a range of delivery systems.

“With these patents, the IP protection on Univestin is even stronger,” said Regan Miles, chief executive officer (CEO) of Unigen. “This is good news to Unigen’s important customers and partners that rely on Univestin as the active ingredient in their revolutionary joint support products. Just as important, it should give significant pause to those who might wish to try to infringe on our Univestin product.”