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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October
10, 2006.
Favourable
toxicology results support broadening transdermal morphine (TPM-01/Morphine)
clinical program.
Melbourne,
Australia, 10 October 2006: Phosphagenics Limited (“Phosphagenics”)
(ASX: POH; AIM: PSG) announced today the successful completion of
large-scale chronic toxicology studies on its patented transdermal
morphine formulation, TPM-01/Morphine, and the carrier platform
gel technology, TPM-01. The results of this pre-clinical study will
form part of a US Food and Drug Administration Investigational New
Drug data package for the indication of chronic pain.
In
this trial, the TPM-01/Morphine formulation was administered daily
for four weeks, at a human equivalent dose of approximately 298
mg/kg/day or 97mg/kg/day. In the animals treated with either TPM-01/Morphine
or the TPM-01 gel alone, no treatment-related changes were observed
in clinical signs, dermal reactions, body weight, food intake, haematology,
clinical chemistry, urinalysis, organ weights or macroscopy and
histopathology of the organs and tissues.
These
favourable results provide supporting safety data for examining
repeat doses of TPM-01/Morphine in humans. Phosphagenics therefore
proposes to request an amendment to the protocol of the Phase IIa
study announced in May 2006. The proposed amendment is to evaluate
repeated doses of TPM-01/Morphine in humans, in contrast to the
original protocol which was limited to evaluation of single dose
acute application.
This
amendment, upon approval by the responsible Ethics Committee, allows
for the earlier pursuit of Phosphagenics’ goal to develop TPM-01/Morphine
for the management of chronic pain. The chronic pain indication
is the larger segment of the pain market and involves administration
of repeated doses of analgesics for pain management. Phosphagenics
anticipates that the clinical results will be available in early
2007.
About
Phosphagenics’ Transdermal Carrier Technology
Phosphagenics’
patented transdermal carrier technology (TPM) utilises natural dermal
transport mechanisms to rapidly transport small and large molecules
across the skin without disrupting or damaging its surface.
The
Company believes that the key advantages of this delivery system
includes the fact that it possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-erythema
properties, thus minimising skin irritation, and has the ability
to provide a sustained systemic delivery of a wide range of drugs
– ranging from relatively small molecules (e.g. morphine, fentanyl,
oxycodone, atropine, estradiol, testosterone) to large molecules
(e.g. insulin and PTH) – from a single application. Additionally,
the TPM delivery technology can be cost-effectively manufactured
in a wide range of presentations (e.g. gel, paste, liquid and powder)
adding value to existing pharmaceuticals.
About
Phosphagenics Limited
Phosphagenics
is a Melbourne-based, globally driven biotechnology company focused
on the discovery of new and cost effective ways to enhance the bioavailability,
activity, safety and delivery of proven pharmaceutical and nutraceutical
products.
Phosphagenics’
core technology is built around the science and application of phosphorylation,
a process where the addition of a phosphate group has been found
to enhance the bioavailability, activity and safety of existing
pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals, as well as to assist in the
production of drug delivery platforms.
Phosphagenics’
shares are listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (POH) and the
London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market (PSG). An
ADR – Level 1 program has been established in the US with the Bank
of New York (PPGNY) for US investors to trade in Phosphagenics’
stock on the ‘over-the-counter’ market.
For
more information, please visit Phosphagenics’ web site at www.phosphagenics.com.
CONTACTS:
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Phosphagenics
Ltd
Dr
Esra Ogru
Executive Director Research & Development
Ph: +61 3 9605 5900 or M: +61 (0) 402 080 846
Mr Harry Rosen
Phosphagenics Ltd
Managing Director
Ph: +61 3 9605 5900 or M: +61 (0)421 322 757
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Northbank
Communications
Gemma
Bradley / Justine Lamond
Ph: +44 (0)20 3008 7550
g.bradley@northbankcommunications.com / j.lamond@northbankcommunications.com
Gemma Bradley
Account Manager
---------------------------------------------
Direct Line: +44 (0)20 3008 7555
Switchboard: +44 (0)20 3008 7550
www.northbankcommunications.com
Northbank
Communications Ltd
The Media Village, 131-151 Great Titchfield Street,
London, W1W 5BB, UK
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