( An oral formulation of iclaprim has su...)Arpida Announces Promising Results of "First-In-Man" Studies With,AR-709,Health

An oral formulation of iclaprim has successfully completed three Phase I trials: a radiolabelled ADME study (absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion), a Phase I bioavailability trial with a solution and one with a capsule formulation. Arpida believes that the availability of an oral formulation could potentially fulfil an important clinical medical need for the treatment of serious bacterial infections, particularly those caused by MRSA. Iclaprim could be offered not only as an intravenous therapy for hospital use in acute situations, but also as an oral formulation, allowing early patient discharge and outpatient treatment. This switch should be a valuable instrument in reducing healthcare costs and enhancing patient comfort.

Arpida's third most advanced programme, AR-709, targets upper and lower respiratory tract infections acquired in the community setting. AR-709 exhibited potent activity against 611 pneumococcal clinical isolates from Europe, the USA and Asia irrespective of the mechanisms of resistance to currently used drugs. Arpida received authorisation to enter first-in-man studies with AR-709 in the UK in the second half of 2006.

An additional compound, AR-2474, has achieved in vivo proof of concept. AR-2474 has been shown to be highly effective in eradicating MRSA in preclinical models of skin infection and nasal carriage.

Moreover, the company has several other leads in optimisation and additional discovery programmes derived from its own discovery platform at various research stages.

This press release contains specific forward-looking statements, e.g. statements including terms like believe, assume, expect or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may result in a substantial divergence between the actual results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and those explicitly or implicitly presumed i
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