Protox to present BPH data at AUA Conference
VANCOUVER, May 20, 2008 /CNW/ - Protox Therapeutics Inc.
(TSX:PRX), a leader in the development of receptor targeted
fusion proteins, today announced that preliminary data from
the Phase 1 clinical study of PRX302 in patients with
moderate to severe benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), will be
presented at the 2008 Annual Meeting of the American
Urological Association (AUA). The 2008 AUA Meeting is the
world's largest gathering of urology professionals and will
take place at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando,
Florida.
Dr. Peter Pommerville, M.D., Principal Investigator from the
clinical site at Can-Med Clinical Research Centre in
Victoria, B.C., will present the results during the session
entitled "Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Surgical Therapy and
New Technology" which will take place at 1:00pm on Wednesday,
May 21, 2008. Dr. Pommerville's presentation is entitled "A
PSA-Activated Protoxin (PRX302) Administered Transperineally
To Men With Symptomatic Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia is Well
Tolerated and Exhibits Signs of Activity." Based on the
promising results from the Phase 1 study the Company has commenced
patient enrolment in a Phase 2 clinical
trial.
About BPH
BPH is a common urological condition characterized by painful and bothersome symptoms that include difficulty in initiating a urine stream, a sense of urgency, leaking, dribbling and presence of blood in the urine. The condition affects over 50 million men throughout North America, Europe and Japan. More than half of all men will have symptoms of BPH by age 60 and as many as 90 percent may suffer from BPH after the age of 70. Current drug therapies mainly provide symptomatic relief and may trigger a range of side effects including impotence and hypotension. Surgical options such as TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate), which constitute the second-largest item in the US Medicare budget, can cause impotence, incontinence as well as other more serious procedure-related effects. According to Wood Mackenzie (2007), the market opportunity for therapies used to treat BPH was US $5.5 billion in drug therapies and US $4 billion in surgical procedures.
About Protox
Protox Therapeutics is a leader in advancing novel, receptor targeted fusion proteins. Two novel drug candidates derived from the company's INxin(TM) and PORxin(TM) platforms are being developed in three clinical programs. A Phase 2a clinical trial evaluating PRX321 (INxin) for the treatment of primary brain cancer has been completed and the drug has received Fast Track Designation and Orphan Drug Status from the US FDA. Phase 2a clinical trials evaluating PRX302 (PORxin) for the treatment of localized prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate) have also been initiated. Protox is also collaborating with the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) on a research program focused on the discovery of next generation fully human targeted therapeutics.
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 Protox' current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to Protox 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 Protox in its public securities filings; actual events may differ materially from current expectations. Protox disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
For further information: James Beesley, Director, Investor Relations, Protox Therapeutics, (604) 484-0975, jbeesley@protoxtherapeutics.com; Michael Moore, Investor Relations, Equicom Group, (416) 815-0700 x 241, mmoore@equicomgroup.com
Posted: May 2008
