On January 10, 2023, we filed suit against the CIPLA entities in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey (Case No. 2:23-cv-00123), for infringement of the ’190 Patent, the ’728 Patent, and the ’984 Patent. On April 20, 2023, we filed an Amended Complaint to assert infringement of the ’728 Patent and the ’984 Patent. On April 4, 2023, we were granted US 11,617,793 Patent (the “’793 Patent”) covering the formulation of the PEDMARK® product, which was listed in the Orange Book on or around April 17, 2023, and has an expiration date of July 2039. On May 11, 2023, we received written notice of CIPLA’s Paragraph IV Certification as to the ’793 Patent, which was dated May 10, 2023, along with an enclosed statement of alleged factual and legal bases for stating that the ’793 Patent is invalid, unenforceable, and/or will not be infringed by CIPLA’s ANDA Product. On July 27, 2023, we filed a Second Amended Complaint to assert the ‘793 Patent. CIPLA filed an Answer to the Second Amended Complaint on August 31, 2023.
On April 23, 2024, we were granted US 11,964,018 Patent (the “’018 Patent) covering a method of using our PEDMARK® product to reduce ototoxicity in a patient receiving a platinum based chemotherapeutic for the treatment of a cancer, which was listed in the Orange Book on or around May 8, 2024, and has an expiration date of July 2039. On May 28, 2024, we were granted US 11,992,530 Patent (the “’530 Patent”) covering a method of using our PEDMARK® product to reduce ototoxicity in a patient receiving a platinum based chemotherapeutic for the treatment of a cancer, which was listed in the Orange Book on or around June 19, 2024, and has an expiration date of July 2039. On June 4, 2024, we were granted US 11,998,604 Patent (the “’604 Patent”) covering a method of using our PEDMARK® product to reduce ototoxicity in a patient receiving a platinum based chemotherapeutic for the treatment of a cancer, which was listed in the Orange Book on or around June 21, 2024, and has an expiration date of July 2039.
On June 13, 2024, we filed a Motion for Leave to File a Third Amended Complaint to focus the ANDA litigation against CIPLA on the ’018 Patent and the ‘793 Patent only. The non-asserted patents remain listed in the Orange Book. On July 22, 2024, CIPLA filed a response indicating that they do not oppose our Motion for Leave to File a Third Amended Complaint. On July 30, 2024, the court granted us leave to file the Third Amended Complaint. On August 1, 2024, we received written notice of CIPLA’s Paragraph IV Certification on the ’530 Patent and ’604 Patent.
The suit is ongoing. PEDMARQSI® (EU Brand name for PEDMARK®) received European Commission approval in June 2023 and was granted 10 years of market exclusivity in Europe under Pediatric Use (“PUMA”).
Executive Severance
In the event of termination of Mr. Raykov's (Chief Executive Officer) employment with the Company other than for cause, the Company will be obligated to pay him a one-time severance payment equal to twelve months of salary (currently $608). In the event of termination of Mr. Andrade’s (Chief Financial Officer) employment with the Company other than for cause, the Company will be obligated to pay him a one-time severance payment equal to six months of salary (currently $220).
Leases
The Company has an operating lease in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina utilizing a small space within a commercial building. The operating lease has payments of $0.4 per month with no scheduled increases. This operating lease is terminable with 30 days’ notice and has no penalties or contingent payments due.
On January 23, 2020, the Company entered into an Office Service Agreement (the “Office Service Agreement”) with Regus to lease office space in Hoboken, New Jersey. Per the terms of the Office Service Agreement, the monthly rent payments are $1. The Company was required to pay a security deposit of $2, which is the equivalent to two months of rent. The Office Service Agreement commenced on January 27, 2020, and terminated on July 31, 2020, thereafter the lease has been continuing on a month-to-month basis with either party being able to terminate the agreement by providing one months’ advance written notice of termination.
On August 1, 2023, the Company entered into a second Office Service Agreement (the “Second Office Service Agreement”) with Regus to lease office space in Dublin, Ireland. Per the terms of the Second Office Service Agreement, the monthly rent payments are $2. The Company was required to pay a security deposit of $5, which is the equivalent of two months’ rent. This lease will terminate on January 31, 2025.