Flamel Files for Patent for Aspirin Formulation in Combination With Cox-2s

Flamel Technologies has filed a patent application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office regarding the combination of its proprietary formulation of aspirin with a Cox-2 inhibitor, including both conventional and selective Cox-2s.

Flamel's aspirin formulation, known as Asacard, is designed to address thrombosis problems that are commonly observed in patients who are taking Cox-2 inhibitors. The association of Asacard with a branded product, such as a selective Cox-2 inhibitor or even a standard nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, could permit patients to benefit from the efficacy of these anti-inflammatory drugs, while lessening the risk of thrombosis and reducing the side effects associated with aspirin itself, Flamel said.

Asacard has been approved in 11 countries in Europe, but has not yet been marketed.