The Japan Patent Office has awarded Sabinsa Corporation, headquartered in East Windsor, New Jersey, a patent for the company's water-soluble form of naturally available diterpenes derived from Coleus forskolii. The patent covers both the method for solubilizing diterpenes using randomly methylated β-cyclodextrin molecules and applications thereof in glaucoma. Sabinsa will market the product under the name OcuFors^®.

OcuFors^® is another breakthrough from Sabinsa: it is the first naturally derived pharmaceutical product that has been approved by the Drug Controller General of India. The company is seeking approval as a drug for glaucoma treatment in several other countries.

OcuFors^® has been found to be superior drug for treatment of open-angle glaucoma and reducing the intraocular pressure better than Timolol, a non-selective beta blocker used in glaucoma treatment.

Dr. Muhammed Majeed, Chairman & Founder of the Sami & Sabinsa group of companies, said, "The patented water-soluble forskolin solution exemplifies the stringent research, development, safety and efficacy standards that constitute the Sabinsa group’s forte."

This patent represents the 73rd in Sabinsa Corporation's robust global patent portfolio.