ROCKVILLE, Md., Feb. 15, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cerecor Inc. (NASDAQ: CERC), a biopharmaceutical company focused on becoming a leader in development and commercialization of treatments in rare and orphan diseases in pediatrics and neurology, announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued U.S. Patent No. 10,202,363 ("the ‘363 patent") on Feb. 12, 2019, which is directed to CERC‑301, an oral, NR2B-specific, NMDA receptor antagonist.

CERC-301 is a selective NR2B-specific NMDA receptor antagonist with a unique mechanism of action tested in >375 subjects to date. CERC-301 is being developed for the treatment of Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension (nOH) associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Systems Atrophy and Pure Autonomic Failure. CERC-301 has a rapid onset of action, which we believe will result in long-term effectiveness and fewer side effects than the leading nOH treatments currently available.

The ‘363 patent covers the crystalline form of CERC‑301, as well as a pharmaceutical composition containing the crystalline form of CERC‑301. It also covers methods of treating conditions responsive to NR2B antagonists.

The ’363 patent, and its foreign counterpart applications, are co-owned with Merck & Co. (NYSE: MRK). Cerecor has an exclusive, worldwide license from Merck to this patent family and two other patent families covering NR2B-specific, NMDA receptor antagonist for the development and commercialization of CERC‑301 (formerly MK‑0657) for all human indications. 

Dr. Perry Calias, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer and Head of R&D of Cerecor, stated, “ This issued patent, in conjunction with the potential issuance of other multiple patent applications currently under review, provides Cerecor with intellectual property rights to 2035. The expansion of our intellectual property portfolio is an integral aspect of Cerecor’s clinical development and commercialization strategy.” 

About Cerecor

Cerecor is a biopharmaceutical company focused on becoming a leader in the development of orphan neurologic and pediatric therapies that make a difference in the lives of patients. The Company’s pipeline is led by CERC-301, which Cerecor is currently exploring as a novel treatment for neurogenic orthostatic hypotension. Cerecor has six additional programs in development, including CERC-406 for Parkinson’s Disease, CERC-611 for epilepsy, CERC-801, CERC-802, and CERC 803 for Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation and CERC-913 for DGUOK Deficiency a mitochondrial DNA Depletion Syndrome. The Company’s R&D efforts are supported by revenue from its franchise of commercial medications led by Poly-Vi-Flor ® and Tri-Vi-Flor ® (multivitamin and fluoride supplement tablet, chewable and suspension/drops).

In February 2018, the Company added to its marketed product portfolio by acquiring Karbinal™ ER, AcipHex ® Sprinkle™, Cefaclor for Oral Suspension, and Flexichamber™.

For more information about Cerecor, please visit www.cerecor.com .

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may include forward-looking statements made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. Such forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on various factors (many of which are beyond Cerecor’s control), which could cause actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements. Such statements may include, without limitation, statements with respect to Cerecor’s plans, objectives, projections, expectations and intentions and other statements identified by words such as “projects,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “continue,” “seeks,” “aims,” “predicts,” “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans,” “potential,” or similar expressions (including their use in the negative), or by discussions of future matters such as: the development of product candidates or products; timing and success of trial results and regulatory review (including as it may be impacted by government shut-downs), potential attributes and benefits of product candidates; the expansion of Cerecor’s drug portfolio; and other statements that are not historical. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of Cerecor’s management but are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including: drug development costs, timing and other risks; Cerecor’s cash position and the potential need for it to raise additional capital; risks associated with acquisitions, including the need to quickly and successfully integrate acquired assets and personnel; and those other risks detailed in Cerecor’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Except as required by applicable law, Cerecor expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in Cerecor’s expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.

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