Morria Biopharmaceuticals Plc Announces The Initiation Of A Phase Ii Clinical Multi-dose Study Of Mr

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25th June 2008, 05:43am - Views: 1275









Morria Biopharmaceuticals Plc Announces the Initiation of a Phase II Clinical Multi-dose Study of

MRX-4 in Allergic Rhinitis


LONDON, June 25 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --


    Morria Biopharmaceuticals Plc, a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel anti-

inflammatory drugs, today announced that it has initiated a Phase II equivalent study of MRX-4, in a nasal

aerosol formulation, in 105 patients suffering from allergic rhinitis (AR). The two-arm, randomized, multi-

dose, double-blind, placebo-controlled study includes Rhinocort(R) as the steroid comparator arm. The study

is expected to be completed by the end of Q3 2008.  


    The study is designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy 

of intranasal MRX-4 in AR patients outside of the local allergy season as compared with both placebo and an

intranasal steroid.  An experimental  

multi-functional anti-inflammatory drug (MFAID), MRX-4 is a non-steroidal potential treatment for AR that has

generated promising pre-clinical efficacy 

data.  In a Phase I equivalent trial completed in Israel earlier this year, it 

was shown to be well tolerated with no clinical significant adverse effects.

 

    "We are excited about the opportunity to evaluate the safety and efficacy 

of MRX-4 in a multi-dose trial for treating allergic rhinitis," said Mark Cohen, chairman of the board of Morria. 

"MRX-4 could provide unique,  

non-steroidal, first-choice drug treatment for allergic rhinitis."  


    According to Dr. Yuval Cohen, Morria's president, it is rare for a  

first-in-man efficacy study in AR (phase II) to include a steroid comparator 

arm. "Most companies prefer waiting until they have generated substantial clinical efficacy data comparing

their drug to a placebo before venturing to 

compare it to a standard market treatment, such as a nasal corticosteroid. Our 

decision to include the steroid comparator arm so early in our clinical 

development is a combination of our confidence in MRX-4's performance as well 

as the creativity of our clinical team in streamlining and maximizing the efficacy of our clinical development

program. We believe that this will 

substantially increase the value of this data."  

 

    ABOUT ALLERGIC RHINITIS 

    Allergic rhinitis is a common condition that affects nearly 59 million people in the United States (nearly 20

percent of the population) with a market of close to $4 billion. Allergic rhinitis is characterized by 

inflammation of the nasal membranes accompanied by symptoms that may include 

sneezing, nasal congestion, nasal itching and rhinorrhea.  

 

    ABOUT MORRIA BIOPHARMACEUTICALS Plc 

    Morria Biopharmaceuticals Plc is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel anti-

inflammatory pharmaceuticals termed  

multi-functional anti-inflammatory drugs (MFAIDs). This class of drugs 

uniquely combines two promising approaches to preventing and reversing 

inflammation: first, they control the phospholipase A2 (PLA2) enzyme family, a 

known, but previously elusive anti-inflammatory drug target.  At the same time, they also protect cells and

tissues against inflammatory damage.  Morria 

is determined to become a pivotal player in the $20 billion anti-inflammatory 

drug market by developing and commercializing novel drugs for acute pulmonary 


  

    This is not an invitation nor is it an offer to purchase or subscribe for 

shares. This release is only intended for persons falling within the exception 

set out in regulation 47 of the Financial Promotion order -- Persons in the business of disseminating

information.  

 

    Media Contact: 

Science Biotechnology Morria Biopharmaceuticals Plc 2 image

    Meghan Feeks 

    Richard Lewis Communications, Inc. 

    mfeeks@rlcinc.com 

    212-827-0020 

 

SOURCE  Morria Biopharmaceuticals Plc 

    

    CONTACT: Meghan Feeks, 

             Richard Lewis Communications, Inc.,  

             +1-212-827-0020, 

             mfeeks@rlcinc.com, 

             for Morria Biopharmaceuticals Plc 

    



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