Nabi receives second U.S. patent on Nicvax.

2003 MAR 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued Nabi Biopharmaceuticals (NABI) U.S. Patent No. 6,518,031, titled "Hapten-Carrier Conjugates for Treating and Preventing Nicotine Addiction."

The patent covers the composition of NicVax, an investigational nicotine conjugate vaccine, the use of the vaccine to obtain antibody, and utilization of the antibody to prevent and treat nicotine addiction.

"The issuance of this second patent on NicVAX further solidifies our proprietary position around this vaccine and provides added momentum to our product development efforts," said David J. Gury, Nabi Biopharmaceuticals chairman and chief executive officer.

"Nicotine addiction is an important health concern in the United States, and while 80% of smokers express a desire to quit smoking, fewer than 10% of those who try succeed in quitting for more than 6 months. Thus, we believe this product has the potential to meet a major health care need."

The NicVAX patent specifically covers the composition of stable nicotine-carrier protein conjugates that preserve the natural structure and orientation of nicotine, with the result that antibodies are generated specifically to the native form of nicotine. Clinical trials will determine if these antibodies are effective in binding nicotine that is inhaled from smoking, absorbed from smokeless tobacco, or otherwise ingested.

As reported earlier, the ...