AlphaRx Announces Selection Of ARX828, A Novel INOS Inhibitor, For Advanced Preclinical Development

Main Category: Arthritis / Rheumatology
Also Included In: GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology;  Crohn's;  Clinical Trials / Drug Trials
Article Date: 14 Sep 2007 - 0:00 PDT

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AlphaRx Inc. (OTC BB: ALRX), a specialty pharmaceutical company announced that its ARX828, an orally-administered, potent and selective inhibitor of iNOS (Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase), is advancing to preclinical studies to support an investigational new drug (IND) application in 2008.

In animal models of inflammation, the anti-inflammatory activity of ARX828 is significantly higher than Indomethacin and as effective as Dexamethasone (a steroidal drug), but without the side-effects associated with either of these drugs.

The Company has initiated two pivotal animal studies for ARX828 and expects to receive results from these studies for analysis, by end of November. The Company's goal is to develop ARX828 for the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

About Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

There is no treatment currently available to cure RA. The goals of treatment are to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, slow down joint damage and improve function. Most RA patients require some form of DMARD--these include methotrexate, an anti-cancer agent or the TNF-blocking agents such as Enbrel. The TNF-blocking agents only inhibit the inflammatory mediator, TNF, and require parenteral administration.

About Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease encompasses two chronic diseases that cause inflammation of the intestines: ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. It is estimated that 1,000,000 Americans suffer from IBD. The primary goal of current treatment is to reduce and prevent inflammation that triggers symptoms.

About AlphaRx Inc.

AlphaRx is a specialty pharmaceutical company utilizing proprietary site-specific nanoparticulate drug delivery systems to develop novel formulations of drugs that are insoluble or poorly soluble in water or have yet to be administrable to the human body with an acceptable delivery method. The Company also discovers and develops novel, small-molecule drugs for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and neurodegenerative diseases.

Forward Looking Statements:

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning and pursuant to the Safe Harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and involve risks and uncertainties that may individually or mutually impact the matters herein described, including but not limited to product development and acceptance, manufacturing, competition, regulatory and/or other factors, which are outside the control of the companies.

AlphaRx Inc.
http://www.alpharma.com/pages/default.aspx