Cystic Fibrosis: License Agreement Boosts Development of Therapy Against Lung ...(patients and investors in Axentis. M...)

Mr. Toru Gensuke Tokoro, President and CEO of aRigen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. adds: "ARB-CF0223 is based on a well-characterised drug, Tobramycin. Utilising synthetic liposomes that contain Tobramycin, a proprietary nebulizer delivers the drug directly to the endobronchial sites of infection in Cystic Fibrosis patients. This results in prolonged, high local drug concentration, which in turn achieves higher efficacy and lower doses. We are pleased that a competent partner such as Axentis Pharma will further develop this promising product."

The drug has already been tested successfully in a phase I single-dose inhalation study. No significant adverse events were observed when the liposomal formulation of Tobramycin was compared with the currently marketed formulation in 24 healthy volunteers who were treated in a crossover fashion.

About Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is the most common life-threatening inherited multi-organ disease in Caucasians and is caused by a mutation in the CFTR-gene (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) on chromosome 7. The defective gene leads to viscous secretions and impaired mucociliary clearance. The most devastating clinical consequence of CF and cause of morbidity and mortality is lung involvement. A striking feature of lung involvement is the endobronchial colonisation with the bacterial strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Chronic inflammation contributes to obstructive lung disease and tissue destruction leading to bronchiectasis and respiratory failure.

About Axentis Pharma AG (http://www.axentispharma.com)

Axentis Pharma AG is a Swiss biotech company. The company owns proprietary technology used in the treatment of diseases, the etiology of which is misrouted or misfolded proteins, for example, cystic fibrosis, nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, hypercholesterolemia and others. Axentis is
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