New Synera Patent A Positive for Nuvo Research Inc. (TSX:NRI.TO)

Nuvo Research Inc. announced that the U.S. Patent and Trade Office (PTO) reinstated a patent protecting the company’s Synera Patch through July 2020. Synera is a topical anesthetic patch approved for children and adults to numb the skin prior to needle procedures. Nuvo listed the new patent in the FDA Orange Book, which can provide a barrier to potential early generic entrants. While off the radar, NRI.TO has an interesting portfolio of three products, led by Pennsaid, a topical pain medicine sold by partner, Covidien (NYSE: COV). A new concentrated formulation of Pennsaid is under review by the FDA for potential launch later this year or in early 2013. Nuvo is working with its other partner, Galderma, to gain U.S. approval of Pliaglis, an anesthetic cream used for dermatological procedures. Expect NRI.TO to trade better on visibility of the new patent and recognition of this less-known and undervalued company.