Lexaria Bioscience wins first European patent related to its DehydraTECH technology

Lexaria Bioscience Corp () () (CNSX:LXX.CN) announced Wednesday that it will receive its first-ever European patent related to its DehydraTECH technology. 

In a statement, the company said the European patent number 3164141 will be published in the European Patent Bulletin of November 11, entitled "Food and Beverage Compositions Infused With Lipophilic Active Agents and Methods of Use Thereof" and includes claims for improved oral delivery of cannabinoids, nicotine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and vitamins. 

In addition, this patent includes important methods of treatment claims for a broad range of disease conditions including the use of:

Cannabinoids to treat cardiac conditions such as hypertension and neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's; Cannabinoids to treat metabolic disorders and substance abuse and addictions; Nicotine to treat tobacco dependence/addiction and neurological diseases; NSAIDs to treat a host of conditions involving pain, fever and inflammatory states; and Vitamins to treat conditions such as ataxia related to certain vitamin deficiencies

READ: Lexaria Bioscience updates on business relationship with Altria Ventures

Lexaria said priority is granted to certain dates in 2014 and 2015, strengthening its intellectual property (IP) claims compared to more recent competitors. This represents the first patent issuance in Europe under Lexaria's first patent family.

The company intends to validate and nationalize this patent in many major European countries, significantly expanding its global reach. 

The patent is a significant addition to the Lexaria IP portfolio, in addition to giving the company its first formal patent protection across major European nations covering a population of roughly 340 million people.

"We're very pleased to be awarded our very first European patent grant as we're continually working to expand both the geography where Lexaria's intellectual property is protected under law, as well as expand the scope of business possible," said CEO Chris Bunka.

"The receipt of this patent grant is timely in that we have recently forged new relationships in Europe where a number of countries have very progressive markets for the oral delivery of active substances, including nicotine and more, supporting our commercialization efforts."

Lexaria currently has 18 granted patents (including nine in the US), along with about 60 patent applications pending throughout the world. The granted patents cover delivery of cannabinoids, NSAIDs, nicotine and fat-soluble vitamins. Pending patents are for the delivery of many antiviral drugs, human hormones such as testosterone and estrogen, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, and more.

The Kelowna, British Columbia-based company’s DehydraTECH technology, masks unwanted tastes, improves onset speed, and increases the bioavailability of active pharmaceutical ingredients in a simple and cost-effective platform.

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