Intellectual Property

Osel currently holds seven issued US patents and one Chinese patent (Table I). Four of these patents have broad claims covering medicant and use of vaginal Lactobacillus in female health, and the other four covering use of genetically modified vaginal lactobacilli against viral infections through mucosal membranes (Osel's MucoCept platform technology).

Table I.  A summary of Osel's issued patents. 
Patent No. Title Date of Issue
5,733,540 Protection from Viral Infection Via Colonization of Mucosal Membranes with Genetically Modified Bacteria

03-31-98
6,093,394 Vaginal Lactobacillus Medicament

07-25-00
6,365,156 Method for Improving the Half life of Soluble Viral-Specific Ligands on Mucosal Membranes

04-02-02
6,372,209 Vaginal Lactobacillus Medicament

04-16-02
6,468,526 Vaginal Lactobacillus Medicament

10-22-02
ZL 98806040.X* Vaginal Lactobacillus Medicament (*Chinese Patent)

03-30-05
7,179,458 Lactobacilli Expressing Biologically active Peptides and Uses Thereof

02-20-07
7,312,076 Lactobacilli Expressing Biologically active Peptides and Uses Thereof

12-25-07

Osel has filed additional patent applications broadly covering Lactobacillus preservation and formulation for mucosal delivery, the expression of heterologous proteins, including N-terminally modified cyanovirin-N in viginal isolates of Lactobacillus, as well as technology for covalently anchoring these proteins to the bacterial cell wall.

These patent applications, along with issued patents and those undergoing prosecution in other regions of the world, will serve to strengthen Osel's already strong proprietary position surrounding its MucoCept product concepts and technology. Townsend and Townsend and Crew LLP has handled all patent documentation and filings for the company.