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BioProgress Announces Artificial Saliva Spray Registration |
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27 Jul 2006 |
BioProgress plc ('BioProgress' or the 'Company') (AIM: BPRG; NASDAQ: BPRG), the speciality pharma and healthcare company, today announces that it has obtained a registration for HypoSalix, an artificial saliva spray, as a medical device, through Dexo SA, the Company's French pharmaceutical division.
CAMBRIDGE, UK | Jul 27, 2006 | BioProgress plc ('BioProgress' or the 'Company') (AIM: BPRG; NASDAQ: BPRG), the speciality pharma and healthcare company, today announces that it has obtained a registration for HypoSalix, an artificial saliva spray, as a medical device, through Dexo SA, the Company's French pharmaceutical division. This registration will allow BioProgress to market and partner its product in the EU and other territories worldwide, with the knowledge that the product is effective to use and has been manufactured to the required standard.
HypoSalix is a specialist product for the treatment of xerostomia, or dry mouth. The device contains a polymer compound that, when sprayed, can act as artificial saliva. This treatment helps combat the dry mouth symptoms that can be induced by a number of drug treatments, the most well-known of which is radiological cancer therapy.
BioProgress are targeting the product for prescription use. However, as a medical device, HypoSalix will be able to be sold over the counter.
Richard Trevillion, CEO of BioProgress, said: "The registration of HypoSalix as a medical device has been the result of the successful integration of Dexo and teamwork led by our French colleagues. The artificial saliva spray is the first in a range of products from BioProgress for use in patient supportive care. The market is estimated to be in excess of £15m within the EU. However, treatment of xerostomia as a side-effect of drug treatment is understated, and BioProgress believes that this market offers good potential for growth. We anticipate that HypoSalix could achieve significant market share."
HypoSalix is expected to be launched within the next six months in several EU markets by Dexo BioPharm. BioProgress also plans to partner the product on a territory by territory basis throughout the rest of the world. The Company has already entered into discussions with potential partners in Europe and South East Asia.
The Company also intends to use its expertise in polymer chemistry to develop a number of line extensions, including through the use of proprietary technologies within the Group. Products in development include a mouth rinse and a mouth gel, which are targeted for registration as medical devices in Q1 2007. A further anticipated development, a gel delivered to the mouth via a liquid capsule system, would make use of BioProgress' Swallo(tm) technology. Internal research with patient groups has shown that an easy-to-use capsule would be the preferred dosage form for artificial saliva products, rather than bulky oral sprays.
SOURCE BioProgress |
