AlphaRx International Holdings Limited Receives Notice of Allowance for U.S. Patent on Its Lead Pain Product Candidate
HONG KONG, March 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - AlphaRx Inc. (OTC BB:ALRX.OB) has received a Notice of Allowance from the United States Patent and Trademark Office for its lead pain product candidate code named ARX8203, a potentially safer drug intended for pain treatment. AlphaRx has developed three formulations using ARX8203, an injectable formulation for post-surgical pain, an oral capsule for chronic pain and an ophthalmic formulation for ocular inflammation.
AlphaRx has eight further U.S. patent applications pending in different stages of examination and is confident that this is the first of many patents yet to receive allowance.
About ARX8203
ARX8203 is a novel prodrug of a very potent FDA approved NSAID (non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug). ARX8203 has demonstrated excellent safety profile in G.I. toxicity studies compared with Diclofenac and Indomethacin, two very popular and currently marketed NSAIDs. The Company is organizing a POC (Proof of Concept) human trial for ARX8203 in patients suffering from chronic pain, whereby the primary endpoint will be safety (cumulative incidence of gastric ulcers) as assessed by endoscopy. With an estimated 15 million Americans taking prescription NSAIDs for arthritis, and an estimated 68 million prescriptions a year being written for these products according to the FDA, the market for NSAIDs is strong. Prolonged use of NSAID's has been associated with a high incidence of gastrointestinal ulcers. There will be a robust market for new drugs without the serious G.I. side-effects. Prolonged use of currently available NSAID's increases this risk significantly.
About AlphaRx Inc.
AlphaRx is a specialty pharmaceutical company utilizing proprietary drug delivery systems to develop novel formulations of drugs that are insoluble or poorly soluble in water or have yet to be administrable to the human body with an acceptable delivery method. The Company's product candidates address various pharmaceutical markets, including pain and stroke.
Forward Looking Statements:
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning and pursuant to the Safe Harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and involve risks and uncertainties that may individually or mutually impact the matters herein described, including but not limited to product development and acceptance, manufacturing, competition, regulatory and/or other factors, which are outside the control of the Company.
This press release is available on the company's official on-line investor relations site for investor commentary, feedback and questions.
SOURCE AlphaRx Inc.