PTO Issues New Patent to Star Scientific Covering Synthesis of Anatabine

Star Scientific, Inc.

announced today that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office ("PTO") has issued Patent No. 8,207,346 (the "346 patent") to the company's wholly owned subsidiary, Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals, Inc.  This patent covers an improved method for synthesizing anatabine that facilitates large scale commercial production of high purity anatabine.   Anatabine citrate is the active ingredient in Anatabloc®, the dietary supplement manufactured by Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals that is designed to support the immune system in maintaining healthy levels of inflammation.  As previously announced, the PTO issued a Notice of Allowance on May 11, 2012 to Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals for this synthesis process; however, today's issuance marks an official grant of the patent to the company.