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PARI’s eFlow
delivers Alnylam RNAi Therapeutic in Phase I
study
Monterey, Calif., December 13, 2007 – PARI’s
eFlow, an advanced electronic nebulizer, was
optimized and used to deliver Alnylam’s
ALN-RSV01 in a Phase I human clinical trial.
Results of the Phase I trial were announced
today at the 18th Annual Drug Delivery to the
Lungs meeting held in Edinburgh, U.K. ALN-RSV01
is an RNAi therapeutic being developed as a
treatment for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
infection, the leading cause of pediatric
hospitalization in the U.S. and a prevalent
infection in immune-compromised adults. RSV
currently does not have a viable treatment
option. The Phase I study represents the
first-ever clinical study of an RNAi therapeutic
administered via inhalation.
“With the flexibility of the eFlow platform, we
are collaborating with a number of
pharmaceutical companies to develop new
respiratory therapies that are delivered to the
lungs in a faster, more effective manner. We
hope that working with Alnylam on a treatment
for RSV will open up a new treatment option to
meet this unmet need,” said Geoff Hunziker,
President of eFlow LLC.
Alnylam’s Phase I study for ALN-RSV01 was a
randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
trial in healthy adult volunteers to assess the
safety,tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of
ALN-RSV01 administrated by inhalation via
nebulizer. All major objectives of the trial
were met, including definition of a safe and
well-tolerated dose and regimen for advancement
of ALN-RSV01 into further Phase II development.
Importantly, data showed that the efficiency of
delivery of ALN-RSV01 delivered via inhalation,
as measured by plasma levels, was significantly
greater in humans than observed pre-clinically.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a highly
contagious virus that causes infections in the
upper and lower respiratory tract associated
with predictable seasonal outbreaks worldwide.
RSV infection is the most common cause for
infant hospitalization (more than 100,000
hospitalizations annually in the U.S.), and the
virus is a significant pathogen in the elderly.
The RNAi therapeutic agent ALN-RSV01 is a small
interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) targeting
the messenger RNA of the RSV N gene to prevent
viral replication. To deliver ALN-RSV01 to the
site of infection, the siRNA is being
administered as an aerosol in a highly efficient
pulmonary delivery system, the optimized eFlow®
electronic nebulizer, with high drug output,
optimized droplet size, and low residual drug
loss.
About eFlow
eFlow, an electronic, portable nebulizer,
enables extremely efficient aerosolization of
liquid medications via a vibrating, perforated
membrane. 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 amount 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.
About PARI Pharma
PARI Pharma develops aerosol delivery devices
and inhaled therapies. Based on PARI's 100-year
history working with aerosols, PARI Pharma
specializes in treatments for pulmonary and
nasal administration optimized to advanced
delivery platforms, such as eFlow.
Focusing on comprehensive inhalation therapy
development, including optimized nebulizer
formulations, analytics, and aerosol
characterization, PARI Pharma has several
clinical development programs ongoing, either
partnered or proprietary. 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 is available by
contacting Kirsten Ayars at 805-452-7909 or
Geoff Hunziker at 831-372-3580.
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