Morria Biopharmaceuticals Plc Announces Regulatory Approval To Commence Phase II Clinical Study Of MRX-4 In Allergic Rhinitis

June 16th, 2008 by poster

Morria Biopharmaceuticals Plc, a
biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel
anti-inflammatory drugs, announced that it has obtained regulatory
approval from the South African Medicines Control Council (MCC) to initiate
a Phase II study of MRX-4 in 105 patients suffering from allergic rhinitis
(AR). The two-arm, randomized, multi-dose, double-blind, placebo-controlled
study includes a steroid comparator arm.
The study will evaluate the safety, tolerability, and preliminary
efficacy of intranasal MRX-4 in AR patients outside of allergy season as
compared with both placebo and an intranasal steroid. An experimental
multi-functional anti-inflammatory drug (MFAID), MRX-4 is a non-steroidal
potential treatment for AR that was shown to be safe and well tolerated in
a Phase I equivalent trial completed in Israel earlier this year.
"This study will provide valuable data regarding its potential in
allergic rhinitis, including efficacy, tolerability and pharmacokinetic
data," said Buy diflucan without prescription Dr. Yuval Cohen, president of Morria. "We are excited to be
taking this significant step toward testing a potentially safer, more
effective, and more affordable treatment option for the significant
commercial opportunity in the multi-billion dollar allergic rhinitis
market".
ABOUT ALLERGIC RHINITIS
Allergic rhinitis is a common condition that affects nearly 59 million
people in the United States (nearly 20 percent of the population) with a
market of close to $4 billion. Allergic rhinitis is characterized by
inflammation of the nasal membranes accompanied by symptoms that may
include sneezing, nasal congestion, nasal itching and rhinorrhea.
ABOUT MORRIA BIOPHARMACEUTICALS Plc
Morria Biopharmaceuticals Plc is a biopharmaceutical company focused on
the development of novel anti-inflammatory pharmaceuticals termed
multi-functional anti-inflammatory drugs (MFAIDs). This class of drugs
uniquely combines two promising approaches to preventing and reversing
inflammation: first, they control the phospholipase A2 (PLA2) enzyme
family, a known, but previously elusive anti-inflammatory drug target. At
the same time, they also protect cells and tissues against inflammatory
damage. Morria is determined to become a pivotal player in the $20 billion
anti-inflammatory drug market by developing and commercializing novel drugs
for acute pulmonary and gastro-intestinal inflammatory diseases. For more
information, please visit
This is not an invitation nor is it an offer to purchase or subscribe
for shares. This release is only intended for persons falling within the
exception set out in regulation 47 of the Financial Promotion order -
Persons in the business of disseminating information.
Morria Biopharmaceuticals Plc

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Heart Failure Patients May Suffer Similarly To Advanced Cancer Patients

June 16th, 2008 by poster

Heart failure outpatients have similar numbers of symptoms and levels of depression and spiritual well-being as patients with advanced lung and pancreatic cancer, researchers reported at the American Heart Association’s 9th Scientific Forum on Quality of Care and Outcomes Research in Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke.
In their study, researchers from the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine also found that heart failure patients with "poor" health status had greater symptoms and depression and worse spiritual well-being than patients with advanced cancer.
Buy zithromax without prescription The study compared 60 ambulatory heart failure patients to 30 outpatients with advanced cancer being treated at Johns Hopkins Hospital or Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore, Md. Those with heart failure were outpatients, able to attend clinics and complete questionnaires.
"There has been a lot of attention on improving the quality of life and reducing suffering in cancer patients, but less on patients with heart failure," said David Bekelman, M.D., M.P.H., lead author of the study. "Heart failure patients, particularly those with poor health status, need the option of palliative care."
Palliative care - care devoted to improving quality of life and reducing suffering for patients with severe, life-threatening illnesses and their families - is often used to help advanced cancer patients.
Disease and death in chronic heart failure is high, with the average survival of 1.6 years after a hospitalization. Heart failure can have a major impact on a patient’s health status, contributing to symptom burden, functional limitations, and in turn depression, researchers said.
Researchers used the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale-Short Form to assess symptom burden; Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form for depression; Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being Scale for spiritual well-being; and Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) for heart failure severity.
Researchers found no statistical difference among heart failure and cancer patients in measured physical symptoms, depression scores and spiritual well-being. The study also compared the same three parameters in heart failure patients with different ejection fractions. Ejection fraction is a common measure of heart function. Symptoms, depression and spiritual well-being were similar among heart failure patients with ejection fractions above and below 30, showing that while ejection fraction is a useful marker of heart failure severity, it did not correlate with quality of life domains.
However, heart failure patients with worse health status had a statistically greater number of physical symptoms (13.2 versus 8.6), higher depression scores (6.7 vs. 3.2) and lower spiritual well-being (29 vs. 38.9) than the cancer patients - even after adjusting for age, gender, marital status, education and income.
"The main finding was that patients with heart failure have a similar burden of symptoms, depression and low levels of spiritual well-being as advanced cancer patients," said Bekelman, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine. "Advanced cancer patients are often quite sick and need care focused on quality of life in addition to care focused on the disease. We don’t usually think about providing similar care to outpatients with heart failure."
"Patients with heart failure who are not at the end of life have palliative care needs," Bekelman said. "But palliative care has been markedly under-used in heart failure patients."
When researchers compared heart failure patients who had scores 50 or lower on the 100-point KCCQ (indicating poor health status) to the cancer patients, the heart failure patients had a statistically higher rate of symptoms and depression and a worse score on spiritual well-being.
Little research-based evidence exists to guide practitioners on which heart failure patients may benefit from palliative care. The study showed that KCCQ scores of under 50 can help identify patients who may benefit, Bekelman said.
"Heart failure patients’ symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, pain, constipation and dry mouth can be improved with medical management," he said. "Depression, which is common in patients with heart failure, can be treated with medications and counseling. Persistent symptoms can also contribute to depression, and treating persistent symptoms can help improve mood."
"Clinicians should not underestimate the importance of using supportive communication and empathy with heart failure patients to reduce both symptoms and depression," Bekelman said.
It may be helpful for physicians to get a chaplain or clergy member involved in the patient’s care to improve spiritual well-being, Bekelman said, noting that other approaches used to improve spiritual well-being in cancer patients, such as dignity therapy and meaning-centered psychotherapy, should also be evaluated for heart failure patients.
—————————-
Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.
—————————-
Co-authors are: John S. Rumsfeld, M.D., Ph.D.; Edward P. Havranek, M.D.; Traci E. Yamashita, M.S.; Evelyn Hunt, M.D.; and Jean S. Kutner, M.D., M.S.P.H.
The study was funded by the Johns Hopkins Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine; the Johns Hopkins General Clinical Research Center; and the National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine, NIH.
Statements and conclusions of abstract authors presented at American Heart Association/American Stroke Association scientific meetings are solely those of the abstract authors and do not necessarily reflect association policy or position. The association makes no representation or warranty as to their accuracy or reliability.
NR08-1051 (QCOR 08/Bekelman)
Abstract 171
Source: Karen Astle
American Heart Association
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No Link Between Antidepressants And Birth Defects

June 16th, 2008 by poster

Expectant mothers can safely use prescribed antidepressants during their first trimester, according to a new study from the Universit?© de Montr?©al and Ste. Justine Hospital published in the May edition of the British Journal of Psychiatry.
Dr. Anick B?©rard and her team found that antidepressants have no effect on foetal development. "This is the first study to investigate the impact of antidepressant use during the first trimester of pregnancy in mothers with psychiatric disorders," she said. "In terms of birth malformations in this population, we found no difference between women who used antidepressants and those who did not use antidepressants during their first trimester."
The research team used data from the Quebec Pregnancy Registry, established by their group, to analyze the records of 2,329 new mothers diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder and treated with antidepressants for at least 30 days before pregnancy. Also included in the registry were women who delivered liveborn and stillborn children, while birth defects were considered anything from facial malformations to heart anomalies.
"The duration of antidepressant use in the first trimester of pregnancy was not associated with an increased risk of birth malformations," explained Dr. B?©rard. "We hope these findings help clinicians and women decide whether to continue antidepressant therapy during pregnancy."
Partners in research:
This study was supported by the Fonds de la Recherche en Sant?© du Qu?©bec (FRSQ), the R?©seau Qu?©b?©cois de Recherche sur l’Usage des M?©dicaments and the Network for the Wellbeing of Children.
On the Web:
About the study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry
About the Universit?© de Montr?©al
About Anick B?©rard
Buy viagra pills Dr. B?©rard is an associate professor and is the Louis-Boivin Family Chair on Medications, Pregnancy and Lactation at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the Universit?© de Montr?©al and the recipient of a career award from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
Universit?© de Montr?©al
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Two Men Fined For Selling Erectile Dysfunction Drugs, UK

June 16th, 2008 by poster

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Are You Allergic To Your Home? Proper Spring Cleaning Can Combat Allergens

June 16th, 2008 by poster

As allergy-sufferers nationwide tackle their nose nemeses or keep scratching their heads - literally - in the quest to identify the source of their allergen angst, they can consider these tips for combating allergies in the home.
The most common allergens are dust mites and animal dander found mostly inside, not outside, the home sweet home. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) also lists cockroaches as common allergens, especially in inner cities or southern parts of the United States.
Perfume, room deodorizers, harsh cleaning chemicals, paint, and talcum powder are also known allergens and asthma triggers to reduce or avoid altogether.
May presents a great opportunity to:
- Replace air conditioning filters to help reduce the dust settlement,
- Incorporate humidifiers or other air filters in the home to help prevent dust mites
- Employ the use of non-toxic or natural household cleaners
- Replace artificially scented items with naturally scented oils and soy-based products
- Consider future use of Low-VOC paint
The AAFA states that allergy is the 5th leading chronic disease in the U.S. among all ages, and the 3rd most common chronic disease among children under 18 years old (according to the National Academy on an Aging Society).
"There is little we can do about external allergens, but there are many preventative measures we can take inside our homes," said Dr. Alan Greene, renowned medical expert, author and speaker. "It is important to avoid obsessively over cleaning your home, therefore preventing allergen immunities from forming. Instead, use non-toxic cleaning products and omit other irritants from the immediate environment."
To help combat allergens, Seventh Generation offers a full range of cleaning products that are free of fragrances, dyes and toxins - perfect for those cleaning a home with an allergy or asthma sufferer. Seventh Generation Free & Clear Starter Kits are available to help create and maintain a healthy home.
For more on National Allergy and Asthma Awareness Month please visit the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America at
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