Australian patent describing new methods of use for anti-TNF medications awarded to California physician

Australian patent 758,523, entitled "TNF antagonists for the treatment of neurological disorders" has issued, awarded to Edward Tobinick, MD. Scientific support for the treatment methods described has now been reported, most recently from EULAR 2003, the leading European Rheumatology Congress.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (PRWEB) August 7, 2003 -- Institute Research Associates, A Medical Group, Inc. is pleased to announce the issuance of Australian Patent 758,523, entitled "Tumor Necrosis Factor Antagonists for the Treatment of Neurological Disorders", which has been awarded to Edward Tobinick, MD, Medical Director. A total of nine U.S. patents involving the use of recombinant DNA medications for the treatment of neurological, retinal, and muscular disorders have been awarded to Dr. Tobinick to date. This is the first foreign patent to be awarded to Dr. Tobinick.

"There are now several published studies from around the world which provide scientific support for concepts discussed in this new Australian patent. We look forward to further independent scientific support for these concepts in the near future," said Dr. Tobinick.

The published studies to which Dr. Tobinick referred include the following:

Perispinal TNF-alpha inhibition for discogenic pain," Swiss Medical Weekly 2003;133:170-177. TNF-alpha inhibition was accomplished utilizing etanercept ( Enbrel ® ). Abstract and full text at www.smw.ch

Targeted etanercept for discogenic neck pain: uncontrolled, open-label results in two adults," Clinical Therapeutics 2003 April;25:1211-1218.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha antibody, infliximab, used to manage severe sciatica," Spine 2003 April 15;28:750-754. Abstract and full text at www.spinejournal.com

In addition, abstract OP0018 presented at the Annual Congress for European Rheumatology, EULAR 2003, on June 19, 2003, entitled "Efficacy of etanercept in the treatment of acute sciatica", authored by S. Genevay MD, S. Stingelin MD, and C. Gabay MD, from the Division of Rheumatology, University Hospital Geneva, Geneva Switzerland provides additional independent scientific support.

The use of etanercept and infliximab and other recombinant DNA medications for the treatment of disc herniation and other neurological and clinical disorders is protected by multiple U.S. patents awarded to Dr. Tobinick, including the following:

1. 6,015,557 Tumor necrosis factor antagonists for the treatment of neurological disorders. Filed March 23, 1999, issued January 18, 2000.
2. 6,177,077 TNF inhibitors for the treatment of neurological disorders.
3. 6,379,666 TNF inhibitors for the treatment of neurological, retinal, and muscular disorders.
4. 6,419,934 TNF modulators for treating neurological disorders associated with viral infection.
5. 6,419,944 Cytokine antagonists for the treatment of localized disorders.
6. 6,423,321 Cytokine antagonists for the treatment of sensorineural hearing loss.
7. 6,428,787 TNF inhibitors for the treatment of retinal disorders.
8. 6,471,961 Interleukin antagonists for the treatment of neurological, retinal and muscular disorders.
9. 6,537,549 Cytokine antagonists for the treatment of localized disorders, filed April 25, 2001, issued March 25, 2003.

Institute Research Associates, A Medical Group, Inc. conducts a private medical practice. Further information is available on the website: www.nrimed.com.

Press Release: For Distribution August 7, 2003