SinoFresh Announces "Next Step" In Program To Attack "Super-Bug" MRSA

Main Category: MRSA / Drug Resistance
Also Included In: Ear, Nose and Throat;  Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Article Date: 03 Jul 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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SinoFresh HealthCare, Inc. (OTCBB: SFSH), the makers of SinoFresh Nasal Spray, announced the next step in a research and development program expected to lead to a nasal spray product for attacking MRSA -- the so-called "super bug" -- reservoirs in the nasal passage. These nasal reservoirs are believed by public health experts to be a significant source of MRSA infections. "This continuation of an earlier study is a concrete expression of SinoFresh's commitment to exploring ways to protect and promote nasal and upper respiratory health and hygiene," according to Charles Fust, CEO of SinoFresh. In July 2005, SinoFresh announced it had achieved positive results in an in vitro study conducted at the Public Health Research Institute under the direction of Dr. Barry Kreiswirth who is the director of the institute's Tuberculosis Center and Hospital Infections Program.

MRSA (methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus) is a growing concern in the health care community. This is due to both the virulence of the infections which it causes and to the fact that it is highly antibiotic resistant, making infections difficult to treat. Staphylococcus aureus is a common bacterium found on skin and most strains usually do not produce disease or infection. The MRSA strain, however, produces toxins which attack tissues. It harbors in the nasal passages (as do most S. aureus strains) and is transferred to skin by hand contact. Under certain circumstances it can then produce a virulent infection of the skin and underlying tissues which can lead to disfigurement and sometimes death.

According to Dr. John Todhunter, an outside consultant to SinoFresh, there is an apparent consensus in the health care community that having a high nasal load of MRSA is associated with increased rates of MRSA infection. There are approximately 2 - 3 million persons in the U.S. at any time carrying MRSA around in their nasal passages. As a result, eradication of nasal MRSA colonies is seen as a potentially important weapon in reducing the spread of MSRA. The antibiotic Mupirocin is currently the treatment of choice for reducing nasal MRSA loads. In recent years it is becoming less effective as MRSA's resistance to yet another antibiotic has emerged. "SinoFresh's approach to controlling nasal MRSA does not depend on any specific antibiotic and it is expected to have less chance of the bug finding a way to defeat it," said Dr. Todhunter. "This could be a significant improvement in how MRSA reservoirs are controlled."

SinoFresh's approach is based on the potent ability of an ingredient in their product to destroy bacterial cell walls and membranes. This is by physical means rather than by an effect on bacterial metabolism which is how antibiotics work. "Since bacteria can in effect change their metabolism to be resistant to antibiotics but can't very well change the laws of physics the chances for development of resistance to SinoFresh's product are much lower," said Dr. Todhunter.

According to William Wilferth, VP for Research and Development at SinoFresh, "We are continuing on an exciting and promising path but are doing so methodically, with this model study currently being set up and then progressing to clinical studies, depending on what the data tell us."

Mr. Fust stated that "This is a potentially very large market for SinoFresh with a potential for 80 to 100 million treatments annually. We're obviously excited to have pulled the trigger on this development effort and have reason to be cautiously optimistic that it will develop into a product for this market."

About SinoFresh HealthCare, Inc.

SinoFresh HealthCare, Inc. (OTCBB: SFSH) is a developer and marketer of innovative upper respiratory system therapies. The company is researching broad-spectrum antiseptic approaches to reducing viral, bacterial and fungal organisms that are suspected to cause pathogenesis of the mouth, nose and throat. The company's lead product, SinoFresh™ Nasal and Sinus Care, is a hygienic cleansing spray that kills germs and removes other nasal-sinus irritants. The company is also researching how antiseptic cleansing may alleviate chronic sinus distress, a condition that may affect 37 million Americans annually. SinoFresh™ products are available in major retail outlets nationwide.

http://www.sinofresh.com