UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON D.C. 20549
____________
FORM 8‑K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): March 5, 2012


The Medicines Company
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)


Delaware
 
000-31191
 
04-3324394
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
 
(Commission
File Number)
 
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
                       

8 Sylvan Way
Parsippany, New Jersey
 
07054
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (973) 290-6000

 
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
o
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))






Item 8.01. Other Events

On March 5, 2012, The Medicines Company (the “Company”) received a certificate of extension issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office for one of the Company's principal U.S. patents covering Angiomax®(bivalirudin), U.S. Patent No. 5,196,404 (the “'404 patent”).  The certificate extends the term of the '404 patent to December 15, 2014.  In addition, the Company is entitled to a six-month period of pediatric exclusivity following expiration of the '404 patent, which would extend exclusivity to June 15, 2015.









SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

THE MEDICINES COMPANY
Date:  March 6, 2012        
By:    /s/ Paul M. Antinori
Paul M. Antinori
Senior Vice President and General Counsel