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CollaGenex patent rejected — for now

CollaGenex Pharmaceuticals Inc. today said the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued a rejection of its patent application covering a method of treating acne, but the company will continue to press for approval.

CollaGenex Pharmaceuticals Inc. today said the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued a rejection of its patent application covering a method of treating acne, but the company will continue to press for approval.

The Newtown-based company, which specializes in dermatological treatments, said the patent involved using chemically modified tetracylines, including incyclinide. The antibiotics are altered to remove antibiotic properties while retaining anti-inflammatory compounds, said Colin W. Stewart, the company's president and chief executive officer. If successful, this would be a new approach to treating acne and would allow for longer treatment without fear of promoting germ resistance.

Stewart said CollaGenex will continue to pursue a patent and is "confident" that a "patent will ultimately issue to cover incyclinide."

While the patent office's rejection was labeled "final," a spokeswoman said that the word does not mean final in this case. The company has several more steps available to it, including modifying the application and appealing the decision.