VIVUS Announces Acquisition Of Group Of Patents From Janssen Pharma

(RTTNews) - VIVUS, Inc. (VVUS) Monday announced the acquisition of a group of patents from Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. covering uses of topiramate as monotherapy and in combination with other pharmaceutical agents to treat several medical conditions.

Janssen has agreed to dismiss the lawsuit it brought against VIVUS on August 22 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware.

The patents acquired by VIVUS -- including U.S. 6,071,537 (Shank), U.S. 6,362,220 (Cottrell) and others -- are directed to methods of using topiramate to treat obesity, lower blood pressure and lipid parameters, and reduce blood glucose.

VIVUS also assumed all rights under Janssen's license for U.S. 6,323,236 (McElroy), owned by the University of Cincinnati, and will be responsible for all future financial obligations under that license.

The McElroy patent is directed to methods of using topiramate to treat impulse control disorders.

VIVUS will pay a one-time upfront fee and a royalty to Janssen on Qsymia product sales for an assignment of these topiramate-related patents owned by Janssen.

VIVUS has an option to buy out the royalty for a predetermined amount.