The European Patent Office has upheld the validity of amended claims by Acorda Therapeutics Inc. in Ardsley for its Fampyra-brand sustained-release drug used to increase walking speed in multiple sclerosis patients.
The decision by the patent office”™s opposition division can be appealed by parties challenging the patent, Acorda officials said in a press release.
Acorda”™s European patent for the MS drug will expire in 2025 unless any additional exclusivity is granted based on regulatory review timelines. Fampyra also received 10-year market exclusivity from the European Commission that will expire in 2021.
Fampyra is exclusively developed and commercialized outside the U.S. by Biogen Idec Inc. under a collaboration and licensing agreement with Acorda. In the European Union FAMPYRA can be prescribed to improve walking in adult patients disabled by MS.
Acorda is developing and marketing the drug for the same use in the U.S. as Ampyra extended release tablets. Ampyra is covered by multiple U.S. patents through 2027, Acorda officials said. Â Ampyra also has orphan drug status ”“ as a treatment for a rare medical condition – which gives Acorda market exclusivity for the drug through Jan. 22, 2017.
