Specialist pharmaceutical company N4 Pharma made a patent application for its premature ejaculation treatment, an oral reformulation of an anti-depressant drug duloxetine that will be marketed as Cymbalta.
While duloxetine is indicated as an anti-depressant drug, N4 highlighted that studies had shown that the drug held promise as a premature ejaculation treatment.

N4 Pharma's reformulation is based on the same product principle as its reformulation of sildenafil, for which it has already begun clinical trials, to make both drugs faster-acting and longer-lasting.

Assuming N4 is granted the patent, the formulations will provide patent protection, allowing it to undertake the required clinical trials to obtain a licence for its indication, knowing that the final product will be commercially protected.

Nigel Theobald, N4 Pharma's chief executive, said, "We are excited to have reached this important milestone in the patent process for our duloxetine application. Erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation are often co-morbid in that they both impact negatively on a male's sex life. Our sildenafil clinical trial results will help to provide useful information to allow us to investigate possible formulation work on our duloxetine product."

"Continuing the patent process is a crucial step in helping us build a portfolio of generic reformulation opportunities," Theobald added.

As of 0920 BST, N4 shares had collected 4.44% to 20.00p.

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