Singapore: Australia based Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals has been granted a patent by United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to use the drug Pentosan Polysulphate Sodium (PPS) for treatment of bone marrow edema.

Paradigm's bone marrow edema (BME) patent is already granted in Australia and New Zealand. In addition Paradigm's PPS respiratory patent is already granted in Australia, New Zealand and China.

In addition to patents, Paradigm has registered trademarks and a 20 year exclusive supply agreement for the drug PPS from the Germany-based manufacturer bene pharmaChem.

BME lesions are also known as bone bruising and is a painful and debilitating injury with no approved pharmaceutical products to treat the condition. It usually affects sportspeople but also results from other injuries. BME lesions are caused by fluid build-up and micro-fractures inside the bone causing severe pain. Current treatment of BME includes using both steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which can have serious side effects.

Paradigm will launch a Phase 2a clinical study of PPS in trial subjects with BME lesions at sites in Australia from late 2015.