September 29 , 2011
Lexington, MA – Concert Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced the issuance of its 15th U.S. patent derived from its DCE Platform™ (Deuterated Chemical Entity Platform). One of the recent patents to issue is U.S. Patent No. 8,003,646, which claims the deuterium-containing sub-type selective GABAA modulator C-21191. Concert is evaluating C-21191 as a potential treatment for spasticity and neuropathic pain. Other recently issued U.S. patents cover a number of deuterium-modified compounds in the areas of prostatic hyperplasia, HIV infection, thrombosis and pain. Concert is also making progress with its patent filings outside the U.S. with grants or allowances on five European patents.

“We are pleased with our continuing success in gaining intellectual property protection for Concert’s deuterium-containing new chemical entities,” said Robert Silverman, Senior Vice President and General Counsel. “The growth of our patent estate in the US and worldwide is an important strategic goal of our business. We look forward to receiving additional patents that will protect other key assets.”

About C-21191 and Spasticity

C-21191 is a deuterium-modified subtype-selective GABAA modulator that represents a potential new therapeutic modality for the treatment of spasticity and chronic neuropathic pain. These conditions are associated with multiple neurological disorders including multiple sclerosis, stroke, spinal cord injury and cerebral palsy. Subtype-selective GABAA modulators have the potential to retain the known beneficial actions of the benzodiazepines—including spasmolytic and anxiolytic activities – while minimizing sedative effects and dependency potential. Additionally, C-21191 has demonstrated strong efficacy in a preclinical model of neuropathic pain. Concert expects to conduct preclinical dose ranging studies during 2011 to support the potential advancement of C-21191 into human clinical testing.

Spasticity is a debilitating aspect of multiple neurological disorders, including multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, stroke and cerebral palsy. The most commonly prescribed therapies for spasticity are limited in efficacy and are associated with significant dose-limiting side effects including drowsiness, fatigue and cognitive impairment, resulting in high rates of therapy discontinuations. According to We Move, less than 50% of patients with spasticity are adequately managed with current treatments.

About Concert
Concert Pharmaceuticals is a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on applying the company’s DCE Platform™ (deuterated chemical entity platform) to create novel and differentiated small molecule drugs. Concert’s approach leverages decades of pharmaceutical and clinical experience to reduce the time, risk and expense needed to create important new medicines. The Company has a broad research pipeline encompassing many therapeutic areas including antiviral disease, renal disease, and CNS disorders, among others. Founded in 2006, Concert has raised more than $110 million of venture and institutional capital. For more information on Concert Pharmaceuticals, please visit www.concertpharma.com.

Concert Pharmaceuticals, the CoNCERT logo and the DCE Platform are trademarks of Concert Pharmaceuticals, Inc.