Singapore: Australian drug delivery technology company, Imugene, has received Japanese patent for its novel drug delivery technology Linguet.

Japanese application provides protection around Linguet's formulations and other specific excipients for a class of drugs that prevent the loss of bone mass, known as bisphosphonic acids and bisphosphonates, which are used to treat conditions such as osteoporosis and multiple myeloma.

Imugene's novel Linguet technology enables the active ingredient of drugs to be absorbed straight into the bloodstream when placed inside the cheek (via the buccal mucosa) or under the tongue (sublingual). The proprietary tablet can improve the efficacy and safety of a range of prescription and over the counter medicines, with the company's first target being Vitamin D deficiency.

"I am extremely pleased to secure allowance of a key patent application for Linguet in a major regulatory market like Japan. As we work towards generating early revenues from our novel Vitamin D dosage form, this new patent will allow us to investigate the potential for our Vitamin D target, a key factor in promoting calcium absorption, to be combined with bisphosphonates used to treat bone loss, and expand its commercial appeal," said Dr Nick Ede, executive director, Imugene.

Over the past six months Imugene has completed feasibility testing and formulation development for a novel rapid Linguet form of Vitamin D and is expecting to file for regulatory approval in the UK in 2014.