GIACONDA GETS PATENT FOR COMBINATION THERAPY

Australian biotechnology company Giaconda said that the European Patent Office has granted it a patent for Ibaconda, its combination therapy for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The patent, titled "therapy for constipation" (European patent number EP0980246), protects Giaconda's combination of olsalazine and colchicines, which is used to treat constipation predominant IBS. Olsalazine is an anti-inflammatory medication currently used to treat ulcerative colitis that also produces a laxative effect, while colchicine is used to treat the symptoms of constipation. Giaconda said it will begin the process of validating its patent in 19 European countries covered by the European patent system.

"We hope to commence the next clinical trial with Ibaconda next year, and this patent grant, when combined with the previous grants on the patent, gives us protection in all our target territories," Rosa Surace, Giaconda's chief operating officer, said.

Giaconda has five combination products for gastrointestinal disorders, including Myoconda for Crohn's disease and Heliconda for resistant Helicobacter pylori infection. Both of these products are ready for Phase III clinical trials, according to the company.