MetrioPharm AG
MetrioPharm AG: MetrioPharm AG files new patent for MP1021

MetrioPharm AG / Miscellaneous

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MetrioPharm AG files new patent for MP1021

Zurich, 2 March 2009: Swiss MetrioPharm AG, a bio tech company focusing on
advancing and marketing pharmaceutical agents in a mature stage of
development, has submitted a new application to the European Patent Office
for its lead substance MP1021. 'We have reached an important milestone by
taking this step,' explained Dr. Wolfgang Brysch, President of the
MetrioPharm AG Supervisory Board, commenting on the current developments.
'Filing the new patent opens up an option on a global patent for MP1021 -
even beyond the current area covered by the patent, the US and Europe - and
also secures the protection of the patent until 2029,' explained Brysch.

While research was being conducted by MetrioPharm AG, the immune regulator
MP1021 showed new and surprising results in treating severe inflammations.
'The results highlight that our investments in the last 18 months into
further Development on MP1021 have more than paid off. Already in the
course of this year, we are expecting to further enhance our patent basis
and to increase the value of our pipeline,' stated Brysch.

New research results evidence the high efficacy of MP1021 in conditions
currently being treated with TNF-alpha blockers, which are both
biologically intricate to produce and expensive. The application of MP1021
for which the patent has been filed is significant as it does not come with
the in parts severe side-effects presented by TNF blockers used so far. TNF
blockers are currently dominating the market segment of modern treatments
for inflammations. In 2008 alone, the three top selling treatments in this
substance group generated sales worth more than USD 17 million. 'The swift
healing progress and the limited risks of side-effects set MP1021 apart
from known TNF blockers and make this agent one of the most promising
candidates as a new treatment for inflammations,' added Brysch.


About MetrioPharm AG:
MetrioPharm AG is a biotechnology company which specializes in the
development and approval of small-molecular compounds for indications with
high medical need. The company's pipeline consists of compounds in
pre-clinical and clinical development for which there is already a clinical
proof-of-efficacy in humans. Current lead-substances are the immune
modulator MP1021 for the treatment of severe infections and inflammatory
diseases.


Company contact:
 
MetrioPharm AG
Neuendorfstraße 20B
16761 Hennigsdorf
www.metriopharm.com
T. +49 (0) 3302 20 234 02
F. +49 (0) 3302 20 234 99
info@metriopharm.com


Investor Relations contact:

GFEI Gesellschaft für Effekteninformation mbH
Hamburger Allee 26-28
60486 Frankfurt am Main
www.gfei.de 
T. +49 (0) 69 743 037 00
F. +49 (0) 69 743 037 22
metriopharm@gfei.de
02.03.2009  Financial News transmitted by DGAP
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