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:
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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