iCo Therapeutics Oral Amphotericin B Published in Leading Journal
VANCOUVER, Feb. 18 /CNW/ - iCo Therapeutics Inc. (TSX-V: ICO) is pleased to announce that a manuscript discussing iCo's oral Amphotericin B (AmpB) formulation ("iCo-009") has been published in a leading journal, the "International Journal of Pharmaceutics". The paper illustrates iCo-009's pronounced anti-fungal activity against Aspergillus fumigatus or Candida albicans, two potentially lethal fungal infections.
The publication is titled "Development and characterization of oral lipid-based Amphotericin B formulations with enhanced drug solubility, stability and antifungal activity in rats infected with Aspergillus fumigatus or Candida albicans". Publication highlights: Treatment with iCo-009 significantly decreased total fungal colony forming unit ("CFU") concentrations recovered in all the organs added together by (greater than)80% compared to non-treated controls, without significant changes in plasma creatinine levels in the Aspergillus fumigatus infected rats. CFU concentrations are important measures of the magnitude of fungal infection. Plasma creatinine levels are critical to understanding renal function, a key concern with some existing Amphotericin B intravenous formulations. In addition, iCo-009 significantly decreased kidney fungal CFU concentrations by (greater than)75% at the 5 mg/kg dose and by (greater than)95% at the 10 mg/kg dose compared to non-treated controls without significant changes in the plasma creatinine levels in the Candida albicans-infected rats. "To have iCo-009 once again highlighted in a leading peer-reviewed journal provides further validation of the potential of iCo-009," stated Andrew Rae, President & CEO of iCo Therapeutics. "These are two important fungal models that lend us increasing confidence in the future success of the program."
Reference:
Wasan, E.K., et al., Development and characterization of oral lipid-based Amphotericin B formulations with enhanced drug solubility, stability and antifungal activity in rats infected with Aspergillus fumigatus or Candida albicans. Int J Pharm (2009), doi:10.1016/j.ijpharm.2009.01.003. The paper is currently in press and is available online through the International Journal of Pharmaceutics' website.
About iCo Therapeutics
iCo Therapeutics Inc. is a Vancouver-based reprofiling company focused on redosing or reformulating drugs with clinical history for new or expanded indications. iCo has exclusive worldwide rights to three products, iCo-007, in Phase I for the treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema, iCo-008, a product with Phase II clinical history to be developed for severe ocular allergies, and iCo-009, an oral formulation of Amphotericin B for sight and life - threatening diseases. iCo-009 also represents a new drug delivery technology with the potential to reprofile other parenteral administered drugs to the oral route of administration. iCo Therapeutics trades on the TSX-Venture exchange under the symbol "ICO". For more information, visit the company website at: www.icotherapeutics.com
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Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements included in this press release may be considered forward-looking. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements, and therefore these statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. All forward-looking statements are based on iCo Therapeutics' current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to iCo Therapeutics and relate to, among other things, anticipated financial performance, business prospects, strategies, regulatory developments, market acceptance and future commitments. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified by iCo Therapeutics in its public securities filings; actual events may differ materially from current expectations. iCo Therapeutics disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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/For further information: Business Development: Dr. John Clement, CBO, (778) 688-0644; Finance Contact: Mr. John Meekison, CFO, (604) 602-9414 x 224; Investor/Media Contact: Frederica Bell, Corp. Devt., (604) 602-9414 x 228; B&D Capital, Joanne Calverley, (604) 685-6465
Posted: February 2009
