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Morria Biopharmaceuticals today announced that it has obtained regulatory approval from the South African Medicines Control Council (MCC) to initiate a Phase II study of MRX-4 in 105 patients suffering from allergic rhinitis (AR)
LONDON, UK | June 11, 2008 | Morria Biopharmaceuticals Plc, a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel anti-inflammatory drugs, today announced that it has obtained regulatory approval from the South African Medicines Control Council (MCC) to initiate a Phase II study of MRX-4 in 105 patients suffering from allergic rhinitis (AR). The two-arm, randomized, multi-dose, double-blind, placebo-controlled study includes a steroid comparator arm.
The study will evaluate the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of intranasal MRX-4 in AR patients outside of 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 was shown to be safe and well tolerated in a Phase I equivalent trial completed in Israel earlier this year.
"This study will provide valuable data regarding its potential in allergic rhinitis, including efficacy, tolerability and pharmacokinetic data," said Dr. Yuval Cohen, president of Morria. "We are excited to be taking this significant step toward testing a potentially safer, more effective, and more affordable treatment option for the significant commercial opportunity in the multi-billion dollar allergic rhinitis market".
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 and gastro-intestinal inflammatory diseases. For more information, please visit http://www.morria.com.
SOURCE: Morria Biopharmaceuticals Plc |
