Synthetic Blood International, Inc. Announces Filing Of Protocol For Phase II-b Oxycyte Clinical Trial

Main Category: Neurology / Neuroscience
Also Included In: Clinical Trials / Drug Trials;  Blood / Hematology
Article Date: 16 Apr 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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Synthetic Blood International, Inc. (OTCBB:SYBD) announced that it has filed a clinical protocol with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for its planned Phase II-b clinical trial of Oxycyte® in Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) patients. Oxycyte is the Company's perfluorocarbon (PFC) therapeutic oxygen carrier and blood substitute.

The company's planned multi-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled study would enroll up to 300 patients. 200 patients will be allowed for enrollment through a recently approved $1.9 million grant from the United States Department of Defense to M. Ross Bullock, M.D., Ph.D., of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery. Dr. Bullock is the principal investigator for the planned Phase II-b clinical trial. The company plans to do an interim analysis after enrolling 100 patients and then may elect to enroll up to 300.

"Assuming the FDA approves the protocol, our goal is to begin enrolling and treating TBI patients this summer," said company chairman and CEO Chris J. Stern, DBA. "Everyone has worked so hard in getting this protocol done. It is even more exiting that part of this study will be financed by a Department of Defense grant. One of our researchers always says, 'Oxycyte will bring patients with TBI back to the taxpayer base.' We hope to help save as many patients as we possibly can from ending up in a severe state just because they lacked oxygen in tissue after an injury."

About Synthetic Blood International

Synthetic Blood International is dedicated to commercializing innovative pharmaceuticals and medical devices in the field of oxygen therapeutics and continuous substrate monitoring. The Company has under development an oxygen therapeutic/blood substitute and a liquid ventilation product, and an implantable glucose sensor. These products are based upon core technologies that include biomedical applications for PFCs, and medical and industrial applications for biosensors. Each of the product candidates is designed with advantages over currently marketed products in major markets including acute respiratory distress syndrome, stroke, myocardial infarction, surgery, trauma, malignant tumors and diabetes.

http://www.SYBD.com

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements by Synthetic Blood International, Inc. that involve risks and uncertainties and reflect the company's judgment as of the date of this release. These statements include predictions about the expected commencement of clinical trials in Traumatic Brain Injury patients and about the potential benefits of Oxycyte. Actual events or results may differ from Synthetic Blood International, Inc.'s expectations. There can be no assurance that the FDA will approve the Phase II-b treatment protocols as submitted, that the clinical trials will commence in the expected time frame or at all, that the required number of patients will be enrolled, that any trials will meet their endpoints, or that Oxycyte or any company product will be approved by the FDA for any indications. Additional information concerning these and other risk factors affecting Synthetic Blood International, Inc.'s business can be found in the company's public periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available via http://www.SYBD.com. Synthetic Blood International, Inc. disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements beyond the date of this release. This caution is made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

http://www.SYBD.com