Canadian Intellectual Property Office Grants Broad Patent For The Use Of Vigabatrin/CPP-109 For The Prevention Of Addiction In Pain Management

CORAL GABLES, Fla., Dec. 9, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners, Inc. (Nasdaq:CPRX) today announced that the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) granted to Brookhaven Science Associates/Brookhaven National Laboratory (Brookhaven) a patent for the use of vigabatrin for the prevention of addiction in pain management.

The patent is broad and includes the use of vigabatrin/CPP-109 in combination with opioids (e.g., oxycodone, hydrocodone) for pain management. By dampening dopamine release and thus, the euphoria associated with opioids, it is hoped that an opioid/vigabatrin combination may lower or prevent addictive liability without adversely affecting pain relief. CPP-109 (vigabatrin, a GABA aminotransferase inhibitor) is Catalyst's lead compound for the treatment of addiction. Opioid abuse is one of the many substance addiction indications covered under Catalyst's exclusive worldwide license to Brookhaven's international and domestic vigabatrin patent portfolio.

On July 9, 2010, Catalyst announced that the European Patent Office had also granted to Brookhaven a European patent for the use of vigabatrin for the prevention of addiction to opioids used in combination with vigabatrin/CPP-109 for pain management.

Patrick J. McEnany, Catalyst's Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are pleased that the CIPO has granted this patent. As we reported on November 10, 2009, a team of neuroscientists at The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research at North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System received a $1.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to conduct animal studies using vigabatrin in combination with opiates to effectively manage pain while reducing the potential for opiate addiction. These studies are currently underway, and we look forward to exploring the development of CPP-109, both here and abroad, to manage the addictive liability associated with the use of opioids for pain management." 

According to data published in the 2009 National Survey of Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) published by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency (SAMHSA), there were 2.2 million new users of prescription pain relievers, which included 584,000 new nonmedical users of OxyContin ^® aged 12 or older.

About Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners

Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners, Inc. is a development-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of prescription drugs targeting addiction and diseases of the central nervous system, such as epilepsy and neuropathic pain. Catalyst has two products in development, and is currently evaluating the lead product candidate, CPP-109 (vigabatrin, a GABA aminotransferase inhibitor), for the treatment of cocaine addiction. CPP-109 has been granted "Fast Track" status by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of cocaine addiction. Catalyst also expects to evaluate CPP-109 for the treatment of other addictions, such as opioid abuse and obsessive-compulsive disorders. Catalyst is also developing CPP-115, another GABA aminotransferase inhibitor that is more potent than vigabatrin and has reduced side effects (e.g., visual field defects, or VFDs) from those associated with vigabatrin. Catalyst is planning to develop CPP-115 for several indications, including drug addiction, epilepsy and pain management. CPP-115 has been granted orphan-drug designation for the treatment of infantile spasms by the FDA. Catalyst believes that it controls all current intellectual property for drugs that have a mechanism of action related to GABA aminotransferase. For more information about the Company, go to www.catalystpharma.com .

Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause the Company's actual results in future periods to differ materially from forecasted results. A number of factors, including whether the Company will ever be granted the right to market CPP-109 for the treatment of addiction to opioids and those other factors described in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), could adversely affect the Company. Copies of the Company's filings with the SEC are available from the SEC, may be found on the Company's website or may be obtained upon request from the Company. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update the information contained herein, which speaks only as of this date.

CONTACT:  Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners
          Patrick J. McEnany, Chief Executive Officer
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          Brookhaven National Laboratory
          Karen McNulty Walsh, Principal Media
           & Communication Specialist
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          Rx Communications Group
          Melody Carey, Co-President
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