LAVAL, Canada, April 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - LAB International Inc. (“LAB”), an integrated drug development company with subsidiaries focused on developing therapies for the inhalation market and on providing contract research services, today announced it has enrolled the first patient in its LAB CGRP Phase IIa trial. The trial is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2006.
The objectives of this randomized, double blind, cross-over Phase II study are to investigate the protective efficacy of LAB CGRP on metacholine induced bronchial hyper-responsiveness in adult patients with mild to moderate asthma, to compare this efficacy to salbutamol and placebo and to evaluate the safety and tolerability of LAB CGRP in asthma patients. The trial is enrolling a total of 12 patients.
“Patient enrollment for our first Phase II trial marks yet another key milestone for the development of this drug. We are initiating this trial with confidence and excitement and look forward to demonstrating efficacy in asthma patients following compelling results previously obtained in preclinical studies. In these studies, LAB CGRP completely abolished airway hyper- responsiveness to metacholine and allergen challenges. Demonstrating the bronchodilatory, anti-inflammatory and broncho-protective properties in patients would represent a significant benefit over the usual combination asthma therapies.” commented Dr. Halvor Jaeger, CEO of LAB International.
About LAB CGRP
LAB CGRP is a 37 amino acid natural neuropeptide produced in the lung in response to allergic stimuli. As a potential drug, it has demonstrated in preclinical studies a profile that could make it an ideal anti-asthmatic drug candidate with bronchodilatory, bronchoprotecting and anti-inflammatory properties.
About LAB International
LAB International (LAB Pharma and LAB Research) is an integrated drug development company. LAB Pharma is focused on the growing multi-billion dollar inhalation market. Its lead product, for the treatment of breakthrough cancer pain, is a fast-acting Fentanyl formulation delivered using the Company’s TAIFUN(R) dry powder inhaler platform. Its pipeline also includes therapeutics for asthma, COPD, and growth hormone deficiencies. LAB Research is a profitable and growing contract research services division supporting its clients base from state-of-the-art facilities in Canada, the US, Denmark and Hungary.
LAB’s common shares trade on The Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) under the symbol “LAB”, on the Frankfurt Regulated Unofficial Market under the symbol “LD9.F” and on XETRA under the symbol “LD9.DE” with 71.5 million shares outstanding.
This news release contains certain forward-looking statements that reflect the current views and/or expectations of LAB International Inc. with respect to its performance, business and future events. Such statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Actual results and events may vary significantly.
LAB INTERNATIONAL INC.
CONTACT: Luc Mainville, Chief Operating Officer, (450) 973-2240, ext.1206, Fax: (450) 973-2259, mainvillel@labinc.ca; Frederic Dumais,Vice-President, Investor Relations, (450) 973-2240, ext. 1207, Fax: (450)973-2259, dumaisf@labinc.ca; Kim Sutton Golodetz, Investor Relations(U.S.A), (212) 838-3777, Fax: (212) 838-4568, kgolodetz@lhai.com;www.labinc.ca
