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PARI’s eFlow
included in Gilead’s NDA Submission for
Aztreonam Lysine for Inhalation
Monterey, California, November 26, 2007 – PARI
Pharma’s eFlow electronic nebulizer was included
in Gilead’s (Nasdaq: GILD) recent New Drug
Application (NDA) submittal to the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) for marketing approval
of aztreonam lysine for inhalation (75 mg three
times daily). Aztreonam lysine for inhalation,
delivered by eFlow, is an investigational
therapy in development for people with cystic
fibrosis (CF) who have pulmonary Pseudomonas
aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) infection.
The NDA is supported by data from two Phase III
clinical studies (AIR-CF1 and AIR-CF2) and
interim data from an ongoing open-label
extension study (AIR-CF3) of patients who
participated in AIR-CF1 or AIR-CF2 where eFlow
was used exclusively in these trials. The model
of the eFlow device used in the trials was
optimized from the eFlow platform to deliver the
aerosol formulation of aztreonam lysine for
inhalation. Aztreonam lysine for inhalation was
administered over a two to three minute period
in these studies. This represents a significant
reduction in aerosol treatment times, as
currently available inhalation therapies can
average 20 to 25 minutes.
PARI Pharma GmbH, the developer of the eFlow,
also contributed to the development and
optimization of the drug formulation (aztreonam
lysine for inhalation) for delivery with the
specific eFlow.
eFlow, an electronic, portable nebulizer,
enables extremely efficient aerosolization of
liquid medications via a vibrating, perforated
membrane that includes thousands of small holes
that produce the aerosol mist. Compared to other
nebulizer systems, eFlow can produce aerosols
with a very high density of active drug, a
precisely defined droplet size, and a high
proportion of respirable droplets delivered in
the shortest possible period of time. Combined
with its silent mode of operation, small size
(it fits in the palm of your hand), light
weight, and battery use, eFlow helps reduce the
burden of taking daily, inhaled treatments.
Aztreonam lysine for inhalation is an
investigational therapy and has not yet been
determined safe or efficacious in humans.
About Cystic Fibrosis
Today, more than 30,000 people in the United
States have CF. CF is a chronic, debilitating
genetic disease. A major characteristic of CF is
production of abnormally thick, sticky mucus in
the lungs, trapping bacteria and predisposing
patients to lung infections, which continually
damage their lungs.
Pulmonary infection with Gram-negative bacteria,
particularly pulmonary P. aeruginosa, represents
the single greatest cause of morbidity and
mortality among CF patients. Currently there is
no known cure for CF, and the goal of CF therapy
is to control symptoms and prevent further lung
damage.
About Gilead Sciences
Gilead Sciences is a biopharmaceutical company
that discovers, develops and commercializes
innovative therapeutics in areas of unmet
medical need. Headquartered in Foster City,
California, Gilead has operations in North
America, Europe and Australia.
About PARI Pharma
PARI Pharma focuses on the development of
aerosol delivery devices and therapies. Based on
PARI’s 100-year history working with aerosols,
PARI Pharma develops treatments for pulmonary
and nasal administration optimized to advanced
delivery platforms, such as eFlow.
PARI Pharma provides comprehensive inhalation
drug development, including nebulizer
formulation development and optimization, CMC,
analytics, aerosol characterization, clinical
protocol development, and regulatory guidance.
PARI Pharma has several clinical development
programs ongoing, either partnered or on its
own. PARI Pharma, a PARI Medical Holding
company, is located in Munich, Germany with a
major presence in the United States. Online at
www.paripharma.com
Additional information on eFlow is available by
contacting Kirsten Ayars at 805-452-7909 or
Geoff Hunziker at 831-372-3580 |