Star Scientific Announces Patent Claims for Synthesis of Anatabine Granted by US PTO

Star Scientific, Inc. (NASDAQ: CIGX) announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office ("PTO") issued a Notice of Allowance on May 11, 2012 to Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals, Inc., its wholly owned subsidiary, in Application No. 12/729,346, covering an improved method for the synthetic preparation of anatabine. A Notice of Allowance, issued by the PTO, is a notification that an applicant is entitled to a patent. A written patent on this application will issue in the next few months. Dr. Curtis Wright, Senior Vice President and Medical Director of Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals commented, "I have been working with the problems of natural extracts and plant products for over 20 years, and I cannot overemphasize the value of having properly secured intellectual property for the synthesis and purification of compounds of interest to our company. I continue to be impressed by work done by our staff and that of our research partners in adding to the value of this company."