COLD-FX(R) Maker Broadens Its Scientific Direction: Launches Pilot Trial Of New Formulation LIP-01 Geared To Lowering Cholesterol And Lipids

Main Category: Cholesterol
Also Included In: Blood / Hematology;  Clinical Trials / Drug Trials
Article Date: 20 Nov 2009 - 2:00 PST

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Afexa Life Sciences Inc. ("Afexa" or the "Company") (TSX:FXA) maker of COLD-FX announced the launch of a pilot clinical trial of a new formulation, LIP-01 that has shown promise in reducing blood lipids - including cholesterol. Cholesterol can stick to the walls of arteries, causing atherosclerosis or "hardening of the arteries." This, in turn, can ultimately lead to a heart attack or stroke. In fact, more than one in three Canadians will be diagnosed with a heart disease at one point in their life.

The trial is designed to identify the optimum dosing levels for LIP-01. Dr. Richard Lewanczuk, Professor, Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Alberta is heading the clinical trial research team. Thirty-nine healthy adults with elevated cholesterol levels will be recruited for the trial, which has been approved by Health Canada and the University of Alberta Health Research Ethics Board.

Using its proprietary ChemBioPrint technology, Afexa scientists isolated certain lipid-lowering active ingredients from two Chinese herbs. Subsequently they demonstrated that the selected ingredients when combined together had a better impact in reducing the secretion of apolipoprotein-B-containing lipoproteins. This reduced secretion of apo-B from cultured cells is a reflection of lower levels of VLDLs and LDLs (the bad cholesterol) in the bloodstream. Furthermore this research showed that the combination of active ingredients was more effective than either ingredient used alone.

A routine preclinical toxicity test was also completed and the results supported the safety of LIP-01. Further laboratory studies are ongoing to determine more detailed mechanism of action.

Dr. Jacqueline Shan, Afexa's co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer says, "The research and launch of this clinical trial on a natural formulation to manage hyperlipidemia demonstrates our long-standing commitment to innovation in creating evidence-based natural therapeutics for disease prevention and health maintenance. There is clearly a great need for cholesterol management products which consumers can trust to be safe and effective. Our preclinical studies, although early, indicate LIP-01 may have potential as a natural therapeutic product to prevent and manage diseases associated with elevated cholesterol."

A full international patent application has been filed to protect the composition, the process of making and also the therapeutic use of LIP-01 to lower blood lipids and its use to prevent diseases associated with elevated blood lipids such as cardiovascular diseases.

Source
Afexa Life Sciences Inc.