EU OK’s Synedgen

Claremont-based biotech company Synedgen Inc. has been granted a European Union patent for its drug to treat the inflammation of mucous membranes in the gastrointestinal tract that frequently occurs after chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer.

Syndegen’s drug therapy uses polysaccharide derivatives — essentially carbohydrate and sugar molecules — to reduce infection and inflammation on the surfaces of skin, the mouth, the eye and other mucosal surfaces.

The EU patent award, announced Jan. 15, follows similar patents from the governments of the United States, Australia, Canada and Japan.

“This new patent strengthens the coverage of our intellectual property for our lead candidate, SYGN305, in development for the treatment of (gastrointestinal tract) mucositis, a key dose-limiting factor for cancer therapies,” Synedgen Chief Executive Shenda Baker said in the announcement.

Baker said the drug is in preclinical testing, using animal models of radiation injury.

Synedgen was formed in 2009 through the merger of Claremont-based BioSTAR West and Honolulu-based Chitopure Inc. According to Crunchbase Inc., the company has raised $13.3 million to date.

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