Promising new med. for Crohn's, Asthma, allergies, etc.

[Guest guest]

This article (below) was posted to an IBD message board, and upon reading

it, it looks like it offers more promising treatment of IBD, Asthma and

other inflammatory illnesses than other medications currently available, and

all without nausea or immunosuppression! Am I dreaming?? Lol!

Take care,

-Joy

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Inflazyme Announces Selection of Phosphodiesterase-4 Inhibitor Without

Potential for Emesis

Data to be Presented at Chase H&Q Healthcare Conference

Updated 8:31 AM ET January 10, 2000

Current quotes (delayed 20 mins.) IZYPF 1.330 -0.030 (2.21%)

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Inflazyme

Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (NASDAQ:IZYPF) (Toronto, CDNX: IZP) announced today

that it has identified a new series of potent, orally bioavailable

inhibitors of the enzyme phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) which appear to be

without the potential for emesis (vomiting) -- a limiting factor in the

development of other PDE4 inhibitors. A lead molecule of this series,

IPL4088, has also demonstrated efficacy in in vivo models of asthma and

inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Ian McBeath, President and CEO of Inflazyme will present a summary of these

data on Tuesday, January 11th at the Chase H&Q Healthcare Conference in San

Francisco, an annual meeting at which leading biopharmaceutical companies

make presentations to institutional biotech investors from around the world.

" The identification of IPL4088 provides further strengthening of Inflazyme's

growing pipeline of novel anti-inflammatory products, " stated McBeath. " We

will be seeking partnering opportunities with other pharmaceutical companies

to accelerate the development of our PDE4 inhibitor program during 2000. "

Inflazyme scientists have identified certain structural features of the

molecule, the modification of which appears to block the emesis potential

whilst retaining anti-inflammatory effects. In a standard pre-clinical model

of emesis, IPL4088, at doses up to 100mg/kg, did not cause emesis in

comparison to rolipram, a recognized PDE4 inhibitor, which caused emesis at

one tenth of the dose.

" We are very encouraged by this information, as the development of PDE4

inhibitors for the treatment of inflammation has long been a goal of many

pharmaceutical companies, " said McBeath. " However, to date, most molecules

identified have been limited in therapeutic application due to a propensity

to make people feel nauseous. "

" Phosphodiesterases are a group of catalytic enzymes that individually play

a wide role in many normal metabolic processes. PDE4 is the predominant

isoform found in cell-types implicated in the stimulation and maintenance of

chronic inflammation. These cell-types are especially pronounced in diseases

such as asthma, IBD, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Inhibitors

of the PDE4 enzyme possess the potential to inhibit inflammatory cell

function and thus can suppress inflammation and moderate the disease.

Asthma is a serious inflammatory disease of the lungs that currently affects

an estimated five to seven percent of the population in North America. The

disease is characterized by bronchial hyperresponsiveness to external

stimuli (such as exercise and stress) and in particular allergens (such as

smoke, dust, pollen etc). Asthma sufferers experience wheezing, shortness of

breath and a dry cough. In 1997 the worldwide market for asthma treatments

was $7.4bn.

Inflazyme scientists have demonstrated in pre-clinical models that IPL4088

can modify the bronchial hyperresponsiveness to an allergen.

Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic inflammatory condition of the

gastro-intestinal tract that includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn's

disease. The most common symptoms are abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss,

fever and rectal bleeding. It is estimated that over 500,000 people in North

America suffer from this disease.

In a standard pre-clinical model of IBD, IPL4088, administered at 10mg/kg

significantly reduced both clinical and histopathological signs of the

disease, including colonic adhesions, mucosal ulceration, inflammation,

bowel edema and diarrhea. IPL4088 demonstrated greater overall efficacy than

5-ASA, the most common therapy used for IBD, administered at a dose of

100mg/kg.

IPL4088 has been developed from Inflazyme's IPL423 series, which are

molecules based on a structure originally identified from a plant source

indigenous to British Columbia. In September 1999, Inflazyme announced the

identification of another molecule, IPL423,323, which is being developed as

a potential treatment for prevention of organ transplant rejection and

psoriasis. IPL423,323, in animal models, has demonstrated efficacy

equivalent to cyclosporin without the potential for immunosuppression.

Inflazyme Pharmaceuticals Ltd. is a Vancouver based biopharmaceutical

company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel

therapies to treat serious inflammatory diseases. Inflazyme's lead product

is IPL576,092, one of several molecules in Inflazyme's IPL576 series, which

is being developed as an oral treatment for asthma and respiratory disease,

pursuant to Inflazyme's US$91m collaborative agreement with Aventis

Pharmaceuticals Inc. IPL576,092 is currently undergoing Phase I human

clinical trials as a new treatment for asthma. Phase II clinical trials are

expected to commence in mid-2000.

Further information on the Company may be obtained from its website,

http://www.inflazyme.com.

The statements made in this press release may contain certain

forward-looking comments. Actual events or results may differ from the

Company's expectations. No assurances can be given that the Company will

obtain the necessary approvals to enable the commencement of human clinical

testing in a timely manner or at all. In addition to the matters described

in the press release, future actions by the U.S. Food and Drug

Administration or equivalent regulatory authorities in various countries,

results of pending or future clinical trials, may affect the actual results

achieved by the Company. The Toronto Stock Exchange and/or Canadian Venture

Exchange have not reviewed and do not accept responsibility for the adequacy

or accuracy of this release.

For further information: A. Bacha, Vice-President, Corporate

Development, Inflazyme Pharmaceuticals Ltd., ,

www.inflazyme.com; Media Contact: Enca Kaul, Hoggan & Associates,

Inc., . To request a free copy of this organization's annual

report, please go to www.newswire.ca and click on reports (AT) cnw (DOT)

Contact: A. Bacha, Vice-President, Corporate Development, of

Inflazyme Pharmaceuticals Ltd., ; or Enca Kaul, media, of

Hoggan & Associates, Inc., , for Inflazyme

From http://news.excite.com/news/pr/000110/inflazyme-no-emesis

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