Inyx, Inc.'s Exaeris, Inc. Co-launches MD Turbo(TM) In The United States
EXTON, Pa., June 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Exaeris, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Inyx, Inc. , announced today that it has initiated its commercial launch to physicians in the United States of MD Turbo(TM), which is now available by prescription. With the successful retail stocking of MD Turbo just completed, the focus commenced today on the direct selling to key respiratory prescribers within allergy, pulmonology, pediatrics and primary care physicians.
"Our focus will be on educating physicians, nurses and other allied health professionals on the easy use of MD Turbo to enable patients to realize the true benefits of the product. MD Turbo increases the user-friendliness of metered dose inhalers, which are the primary means for delivering medication for the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease," said Stephen Beckman, President of Exaeris.
MD Turbo enables 90% the metered dose inhalers (MDIs) used today to trigger their delivery through breath-activation, helping ensure the labeled dose is delivered at the appropriate time. MD Turbo also contains an electronic dose counter to help patients improve medication compliance by tracking the number of doses remaining before a refill is required. The combination of these two key features -- breath activation and dose counting -- addresses two of the biggest challenges in MDI use.
There are more than 40 million MDI prescriptions written annually in the United States for the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Inhalers deliver the drug directly into the lungs, but the currently available products rely upon a patient's precise coordination of inhaler activation and inhalation. Studies have shown that over 50% of patients incorrectly time the release of medication from these traditional inhalers.(1,2,3) In addition, the Allergy and Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA) conducted a study in 2003 with 500 families to determine whether patients tracked doses correctly. Less than 25% of those surveyed said they could identify the number of doses remaining. Another 25% said they had found their inhalers empty when needed, resulting in hospitalization for these patients 8% of the time.(4)
MD Turbo's breath activation and electronic dose counting are intended to make the use of MDIs easier, more accurate and more cost effective for asthma and COPD patients, Mr. Beckman pointed out.
Exaeris is marketing the MD Turbo in the United States along with Teamm Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the specialty pharmaceutical division of Accentia Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. . The co-promotion agreement between Exaeris and Teamm was announced on April 12, 2006.
"We joined Teamm to bring MD Turbo to the market as we believe it provides a real solution to a defined set of needs in the marketplace. MD Turbo is a novel, easy approach to enhancing the use of MDIs for all patients by enhancing a patient's confidence in managing his or her disease effectively," added Exaeris President Beckman.
About MD Turbo
More than 37 million patients in the United States suffer from asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Most of those patients rely on traditional metered dose inhalers for delivery of medications to treat their disease. Inhalation therapy is considered the gold standard for delivery of medication for respiratory diseases as it provides for delivery of medication directly into the lungs for maximum effect and quickest onset of action, and avoids or minimizes undesirable side effects associated with systemic absorption.
Proper use of MDIs requires patients to coordinate activation of the device with the inhalation of the medication. Published studies have demonstrated that regardless of age or experience using an MDI, over 50% of patients cannot coordinate the press-and-breathe action required for MDIs use. As a result of poor technique, the patient may not receive the intended dose of medication and therefore have less control of his or her disease. Using breath-activation has been proven to nearly triple the amount of drug deposited to the lung.(1,2,3)
MD Turbo is the first product that converts the traditional MDI into a breath-activated device, and accommodates 90% of the inhalers currently prescribed to asthmatics or patients suffering from COPD. MD Turbo is designed to provide improved drug delivery to the lungs for patients using MDIs by minimizing the problems associated with incorrect inhalation technique. The MDI is inserted into MD Turbo and the patient places his or her mouth around the mouthpiece and inhales slowly to actuate the MDI. Alternatively, the patient can trigger MD Turbo by depressing a recessed button on the back of the device. A second feature incorporated into MD Turbo is a dose counter that automatically counts down the doses each time the inhaler is activated. When the counter reaches 20 or fewer doses, the number display will start to flash to alert the patient or caregiver that the canister is approaching empty. Since many of the MDIs are used in an asthma attack or crisis, this feature was designed to help avoid a medical emergency caused by an empty canister. For more information, visit http://www.mdturbo.com.
About Exaeris
Exaeris is a wholly owned subsidiary of Inyx, Inc., located in Exton, PA. Exaeris is the commercial arm of Inyx and markets a range of respiratory products acquired through key strategic partnerships and internal development.
About Inyx
Inyx is a specialty pharmaceutical company with niche drug delivery technologies and products for the treatment of respiratory, allergy, dermatological, topical and cardiovascular conditions. Inyx focuses its expertise on both prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceutical products, and provides specialty pharmaceutical development and production consulting services. In addition, Inyx is developing its own proprietary products to be marketed by Exaeris and strategic partners. The company's operations are conducted through several other wholly owned subsidiaries, including: Inyx USA, Ltd., based in Manati, Puerto Rico; Inyx Pharma Ltd. and Inyx Europe Limited, which owns and operates Ashton Pharmaceuticals Ltd., all near Manchester, England; and Inyx Canada, Inc. in Toronto. Inyx, Inc.'s corporate offices are in New York City. For more information, please visit: http://www.inyxgroup.com.
About Accentia Biopharmaceuticals
Accentia Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of late-stage clinical products in the therapeutic areas of respiratory disease and oncology. In addition, Accentia's growing specialty pharmaceutical business, Teamm Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has a portfolio of currently marketed products plus a pipeline of additional products under development by third parties. For further information, please visit: http://www.accentia.net.
Safe Harbor
Statements about the Inyx's future expectations, including future revenues and earnings, and all other statements in this press release other than historical facts, are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Inyx intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. Since these statements involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, Inyx's actual results could differ materially from expected results.
(1) Pederson S, Frost L, Arnfred T. Errors in inhalation technique and efficiency in inhaler use in asthmatic children. Allergy. 1986;46: 118-124. (2) Crompton GK. Problems patients have using pressurized aerosol inhalers. Eur J Respir Dis. 1982;63(suppl 119):101-104. (3) Chapman KR, Love L, Brubaker H. A comparison of breath-actuated and conventional metered-dose inhaler inhalation techniques in elderly subjects. Chest.1993;104(5):1332-1336. (4) Sander N, Fusco-Walker SJ, Chipps B. MDIs:can you count on them? Poster presented at the 61st Annual Meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology; November 7-12,2003; New Orleans, LA. For more information, please contact: Exaeris, Inc. Stephen Beckman 484-879-2272 sbeckman@exaeris.com Inyx, Inc. Jay M. Green, Executive Vice President 212-838-1111 jgreen@inyxgroup.com Bill Kelly, Vice President of Investor Relations 212-838-1111 bill.kelly@inyxgroup.com
Exaeris, Inc.CONTACT: Stephen Beckman of Exaeris, Inc., +1-484-879-2272,sbeckman@exaeris.com; or Jay M. Green, Executive Vice President,jgreen@inyxgroup.com, or Bill Kelly, Vice President of Investor Relations,bill.kelly@inyxgroup.com, both of Inyx, Inc., +1-212-838-1111