Patents

Anti-Inflammatory Properties Of Reduced Iso-Alpha Acids

U.S. Patent Nos. 7,794,757 and No. 7,807,203; Metagenics, Inc., San Clemente, CA, has been awarded two patents for discoveries relating to its research on the anti-inflammatory properties of reduced iso- alpha acids (RIAA) derived from hops. Researchers at Metagenics’ wholly-owned biotechnology subsidiary, MetaProteomics LLC, made the discoveries.

The first patent (7,794,757)—“Modulation of Inflammation by Hops Fractions and Derivatives”—was awarded for a proprietary method to reduce inflammation associated with pain using a formulation of hops derivatives that selectively inhibits the pro-inflammatory activities of the COX-2 enzyme without affecting the housekeeping activities of COX-2 (protection of the gastrointestinal lining), thus providing effective anti-inflammatory support with high degrees of predicted safety.

The second patent (7,807,203) was awarded for the application of a proprietary formulation of hops in preventing or treating disorders of the stomach and/or intestines that can lead to ulcers.

Inflammation is recognized as an underlying factor in a wide range of chronic health conditions, including osteoarthritis, ulcers, autoimmune disease, low bone mineral density, and metabolic syndrome. Rho iso-alpha acids derived from hops, according to the researchers, modulate enzymes called kinases. Kinases perform a variety of tasks, including chemically modifying other proteins, regulating cellular pathways (particularly those involved in the transmission of signals within the cell), and regulating substances that can negatively impact health, including eicosanoids, cytokines, and free radicals.

“We believe that our research opens the door to a new class of therapeutic agents that address inflammatory-related conditions at the cellular level,” said Jeffrey S. Bland, Metagenics’ chief science officer and president of MetaProteomics.



Once-Daily Acne Treatment Gel Patented by Galderma
U.S. Patent No. 7,820,186 B2; Galderma Research & Development has patented a aqueous gel composition for once-daily treatment of common acne. The once-daily treatment contains adapalene and/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, dispersed benzoyl peroxide and acrylamide sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate copolymer/isohexadecane/polysorbate 80 gelling agent.



Pharmaceutical And Cosmetic Foam
U.S. Patent No. 7,820,145 B2; Foamix Ltd. has been awarded a U.S. patent for an oleaginous pharmaceutical and cosmetic foam. The foamable therapeutic composition is comprised of 70-96.5% of a solvent phase that contains a hydrophobic solvent, a silicone oil or a mixture thereof and optionally, an emollient, a co-solvent, or a mixture thereof; a nonionic surfactant; a gelling agent; a therapeutically effective amount of at least one active agent; and at least one liquefied or compressed gas propellant. The composition forms a breakable foam upon dispensing that collapses upon application of shear force. The specific gravity of the foam is less than 0.5 g/mL and the water content of the
composition is less than approximately 30% by weight.



Hair Treatment Composition
U.S. Patent No. 7,820,147 B2; Michael T. Mata of San Antonio, TX has patented a method of strengthening damaged or chemically treated hair. It entails applying to damaged or chemically treated hair a composition comprised of an aqueous solvent; a hair shaft bonding agent; a wetting agent; and a thickening agent that increases the viscosity of the hair restorative composition before application to damaged hair. The hair restorative composition is allowed to chemically react with and repair and/or strengthen the damaged or chemically treated hair by adhering to and filling in discontinuities in hair shafts within the damaged or chemically treated hair to yield strengthened and/or repaired hair shafts. The hair is then washed to remove excess composition from the hair, with a portion of the hair restorative composition remaining chemically bonded to the hair so as to fill in and permanently mend discontinuities in the strengthened and/or repaired hair shafts after washing.



Shave Gel Patented By Gillette
U.S. Patent No. 7,820,152 B2; The Gillette Company has patented a post-foaming gel shaving composition that contains water, water dispersible surface active agent, volatile post-foaming agent, glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer, and a gelling aid or thickening agent that is different than the glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer.



Composition for Improved Wrinkle Resistance
U.S. Patent No. 7,815,691 B2; Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V., Eindhoven, The Netherlands, has been awarded a patent for a compound and method to improve the wrinkle resistance in fabrics. The composition is comprised of a wrinkle reducing agent including at least one fusible elastomer having one or more effective groups for bonding to an ion; a liquid carrier; and at least one salt composition having cations for physical crosslinking of the fusible elastomer to provide elastic linkages between molecular chains of the fusible polymer. The cations of the salt composition in combination with the fusable elastomer provide a strong elastic binding between fibers of the fabric with a certain memory, which enables the fabric to recover relatively easily after bending or creasing.