Achillion Obtains U.S. Patent For ACH-3102, Structurally Related NS5A Inhibitors

(RTTNews) - Achillion Pharmaceuticals Inc (ACHN) said Tuesday the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office has granted the company a patent covering composition-of-matter and method of use claims for ACH-3102 and structurally related NS5A inhibitor compounds.

ACH-3102 is Achillion's second generation Phase 2 NS5A inhibitor being investigated for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. This patent is entitled "Substituted aliphanes, cyclophanes, heteraphanes, heterophanes, hetero-heteraphanes and metallocenes useful for treating HCV infections," and provides a patent term which lasts until 2032.

"We believe that this key patent grant will provide another important anchor for Achillion's intellectual property portfolio," said Milind Deshpande, CEO of Achillion.

The hepatitis C virus is the most common cause of viral hepatitis, which is an inflammation of the liver. It is estimated that more than 150 million people are infected with HCV worldwide including more than 5 million people in the U.S.

Achillion stock closed Tuesday at $9.87, up $0.33 or 3.46%, on a volume of 6.7 million shares on the Nasdaq. In after hours, the stock gained $0.31 or 3.14% at $10.18.