Own 676 patents over 18 inventions now: Suven Lifesciences

A: As of March 2014, we have about 666 product patents. Another 10 product patents have been granted and so now it is 676 patents for 18 inventions.

Every patent is granted from each country so these are 676 individual patents, it is covering 18 inventions because suppose Europe - even though 39 countries will have only one patent whereas Canada have one patent and Australia will have one patent -- so many patents will be accrued to the same invention. So whatever we are telling is it maybe already given in some other countries but now these countries are also granted.

Our main interest is Europe, America and Japan should be covered first. As of now our lead molecule, we have all the patents granted all over the world including very tiny countries. So that is an advantage.

Reema: With this particular drug, you have covered all the important countries and you have secured product patent from them?

A: Yes.

Reema: What would the opportunity be for this particular neurodegenerative drug?

A: This is a product for the Alzheimer’s and also for Schizophrenia, it is called 5-HT4 Antagonist and for that we have received the product patent.

Ekta: While I understand this, we have been covering the stock and talking about multiple product patents that Suven Lifesciences has received over the years, which one do you think has the most potential to possibly become a final drug and in which country?

A: First of all, if it becomes a drug after clinical trials, it is not for one country, it will be global. So, the product patents are equal for me as long as the patents are same but the results arising out of this after the clinical trials is the main thing we have to look for.

As of today, SUVN 502 is in the lead molecule, which has finished phase-1a and 1b and it will be going into phase 2a proof of concept. Usually, by this time, I could have monetized these assets but for the risk averseness of the global pharma nobody is touching any CNS molecule because of the high attrition rate until it is proven in the actual patients. That is proof of concept phase-2a.

That is why we are going ahead and doing on our own because a similar molecule, which has gone ahead and has fetched USD 150 million upfront and USD 685 million downstream milestones and double digit royalties outsource. So this is a kind of opportunity that can happen, but as of today, the patent has no value and the product has no value until it passes the clinical trial.