Singapore: Australian infectious disease therapy and vaccine development company BioDiem has received notice of Allowance of a new US divisional patent from US Patent and Trademark Office, that expands the patent position for the Company's novel antimicrobial compound BDM-I. The new claims cover use of BDM-I as a treatment of skin and wound infections caused by different fungi and bacteria.

"A United States patent for BDM-I use in skin and soft tissue infections is a major milestone for us. While we already have development work underway for BDM-I use in other bacterial and fungal diseases, we are keen to pursue treatment of super-bug wound infections. This is where the medical need is high and the market size is growing. We already have in vitro activity against some of these bugs such as MRSA and will look for a partner or licensee to accelerate this development," said BioDiem Chief Executive Officer Ms. Julie Phillips.

BDM-I is a synthetic compound being developed by BioDiem as a treatment for serious infections. Patents for BDM-I have been granted already in the US, Europe, Japan, Canada, Australia, Singapore and South Africa.

BioDiem has been pursuing its development of BDM-I through partnerships with the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, and the Queensland Institute of Medical Research as previously announced. BioDiem will seek licensees to complete the development and commercialise the BDM-I antimicrobial.