Guest guest Posted October 27, 2004 Report Share Posted October 27, 2004 Press ReleaseSource BioMS Medical Corp. BioMS Medical Provides Multiple Sclerosis Trial Update Tuesday October 26, 7:00 am ET - Dr. Mark Freedman announced as Lead Investigator - TSX: MS EDMONTON, Oct. 26 /CNW/ - BioMS Medical Corp (TSX: MS - News), a leading developer in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS), is pleased to announce Dr. Mark Freedman, Professor of Neurology at the University of Ottawa and Director of the Multiple Sclerosis Research Clinic at the Ottawa Hospital, as lead investigator for the Company's pivotal Phase II/III clinical trial of its lead drug MBP8298. " I am pleased to play a key role in one of the only later-stage clinical trials assessing new therapies for secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, a form of the disease for which there are few approved therapies, " said Dr. Freedman. " This trial will assess the impact of this drug on disease progression and further our understanding of its underlying immunology. " Dr. Freedman, B.Sc. M.Sc. M.D. CSPQ FAAN FRCPC, earned his medical degree at the University of Toronto, and performed post graduate training at the University of Toronto, Queen Square (London, UK), McGill and the Weizmann Institute of Science (Israel). He has published more than 100 papers, book chapters and reviews on MS. Dr. Freedman is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology, serves on the medical advisory committee for the MS Society of Canada and is a member of the clinical trial group for the National MS Society (USA). As Director of the Multiple Sclerosis Research Clinic at the Ottawa Hospital, he operates a large and successful MS research unit with approximately 3000 patients. " The interest in our trial amongst other leading MS clinicians in Canada has been very positive, and enrollment of patients is targeted to commence soon at a number of sites, " said Giese, President of BioMS Medical. " Dr. Freedman's leadership role in our trial is supported by his past 20 years of experience in the clinical development of the current major MS therapies. " The trial, approved by Health Canada on June 8, 2004, will enroll up to 553 patients and is designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of MBP8298 in patients with secondary progressive MS. The Company also intends to seek regulatory approval for the trial outside of Canada to enroll patients on an international basis. About BioMS Medical Corp. ------------------------- BioMS Medical Corp. is a biotechnology company dedicated to the development and commercialization of innovative therapies. BioMS Medical's patented MBP8298 technology for the treatment of multiple sclerosis has undergone Phase I and II human clinical trials and has recently been approved to enter into a pivotal Phase II/III clinical trial. In addition, the Company has a platform technology, HYC750, involving a method for the potential mobilization of stem cells and neutrophils for the treatment of cancer therapy related side-effects, as well as an interest in BioCyDex, a private company developing platform drug and gene delivery and imaging technology. BioMS trades on the Toronto St http://www.biomsmedical.com/MBP8298info.asp MBP8298 Product Information MBP8298 is a synthetic peptide that consists of 17 amino acids linked in a sequence identical to that of a portion of human myelin basic protein (MBP). MBP8298 has been developed for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS), and is based on over 26 years of research. MS is generally considered an autoimmune disease, caused by immune attack against normal components of the central nervous system. The specificity of the immune attack at the molecular level is determined in each case by the HLA type of the individual patient, and HLA type is known to be one factor that contributes to susceptibility to MS. The MBP8298 synthetic peptide is a molecular replicate of the site of attack that is dominant in MS patients with HLA haplotypes DR-2 or DR-4. These HLA types are found in 65-75% of all MS patients. The apparent mechanism of action of MBP8298 is the induction or restoration of immunological tolerance with respect to ongoing immune attack at this molecular site. High doses of antigen delivered periodically by the intravenous route are expected to suppress immune responses to the administered substance. The potential benefit of MBP8298 for any individual patient is therefore expected to be related to the extent to which his or her disease process is dominated by autoimmune attack at the site represented by this synthetic peptide, and a phase II clinical trial has statistically significant clinical benefit in patients with HLA haplotypes DR-2 or DR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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