Zalicus Wins Composition-of-Matter Patent for Z944

Zalicus Inc. (Nasdaq: ZLCS), a biopharmaceutical company thatdiscovers and develops novel treatments for patients suffering from pain,today announced that it has been granted a patent by the U.S. Patent andTrademark office (USPTO) covering its product candidate Z944. United Statespatent number 8,377,968 entitled “N-Piperidinyl Acetamide Derivatives asCalcium Channel Blockers” provides broad coverage for Z944 includingcompositions of matter and certain therapeutic methods of use through April2029. Z944 is a novel, oral, T-type calcium channel blocker which hasdemonstrated efficacy in a number of preclinical inflammatory pain models andother disease models. Z944 completed Phase 1 single and multiple ascendingdose clinical studies in late 2012 and the Company plans to continue furtherclinical development with Z944 during 2013.“This key patent provides the foundation of a solid and enforceableintellectual property estate for Z944, with issued claims through April 2029,”commented Mark H.N. Corrigan, MD, President and CEO of Zalicus. “Based on ourpreclinical and early-stage clinical work, we are excited to further explorethe potential of Z944 as a novel, oral, non-opioid pain treatment.”