MARKHAM, Ontario, June 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AlphaRx Inc. today announced that the U.S. Civilian Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) awarded a grant to scientists at the National Jewish Medical and Research Center, the Russian Research Center of Molecular Diagnostics and Therapy, and AlphaRx Inc. under the title “Development of the Drug Delivery Systems for Anti-Tuberculosis Drugs Based on Colloidal Lipid Nanoparticles”. CRDF, based in Arlington, Virginia, is a nonprofit organization authorized by the U.S. Congress and established in 1995 by the National Science Foundation.
The Company believes that the development of colloidal formulations of anti-TB drugs based on nanoparticles is a promising and resource-consuming option for increasing efficacy, diminishing adverse side effects of these drugs, reducing dosing frequency, and potentially offering a solution to the substantial problem of treatment failure, due to patient non-compliance.
The Company is also pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Leonid Heifets to its Scientist Advisory Board.
Dr. Heifets has been for many years involved in research related to mycobacteria. He is a professor in the Departments of Microbiology and Medicine (Pulmonology) of the School of Medicine at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver, and Director of the Mycobacteriology Clinical Reference Laboratory at the National Jewish Medical and Research Center. Dr. Heifets is the Associate Editor of the International Journal of Tubercular Lung Disorders, and a member of several professional organizations whose work is related to mycobacterial diseases.
The Company recently published results of an animal study evaluated the efficacy of the Company’s nanoparticle-encapsulated Streptomycin administered 2 times a week versus that of daily nonencapsulated drug against Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in mice. Both treatments significantly reduced the bacterial count and mortality, suggesting that the Company’s nanoparticle drug delivery system has potential in the treatment of tuberculosis. Further animal study is being conducted at the Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute.
About AlphaRx Inc.
AlphaRx is a specialty pharmaceutical company utilizing proprietary nanoparticulate 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 arthritis, ocular infection & inflammation, tuberculosis and pneumonia.
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 companies.
AlphaRx Inc.
CONTACT: AGORACOM Investor Relations Corp., ALRX@Agoracom.com
Web site: http://www.agoracom.com/