Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery receives patents on mouthwash to treat gum disease

Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery (SDOS) has received from the Procter & Gamble Company a donation of patents on for the use of Keterolac oral rinse as a treatment for periodontal disease. In addition to the patents, the company has turned over nearly two decades worth of research, plus Phase I and Phase II trial data to SDOS, and provided support funds for ongoing investigations.

"There is currently no anti-inflammatory oral rinse on the market in the U.S.," says Steven P. Engebretson, DMD, MS, assistant professor in the Division of Periodontics at the School of Dental and Oral Surgery and principal investigator of the Keterolac research. "Keterolac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug which has good substantivity in water -based solutions. It shows promise as as oral rinse for the prevention of periodontal bone loss. The Procter & Gamble donation allows us to continue clinical trials and ultimately to bring this product to consumers. "

While patent transfers are common, an outright gift of patents is not. In fact, according to Columbia University Science and Technology Ventures, P&G's generous patent donation is a first for Columbia University.

For more information, contact Annie Bayne at (212) 305-3900 or [email protected].