Vienna, Austria, 11 August 2010 - Marinomed Biotechnologie GmbH, a company focused on the development of innovative therapies for respiratory diseases, announced today that a pilot clinical trial examining the Company’s marketed antiviral nasal spray, which contains Carrageenan, was effective as a treatment against the common cold. The study showed a reduction in symptoms, which was paralleled by strong antiviral activity. The results of the study, conducted at the Common Cold and Nasal Research Centre, Cardiff University (UK), has been published on 10th August 2010 in the journal Respiratory Research.
The trial was a double-blind placebo-controlled pilot trial involving 35 adult subjects suffering from the early symptoms of the common cold. Each subject received either a Carrageenan-containing or a saline placebo nasal spray three times per day for four days. At the end of the trial, those that had received the Carrageenan nasal spray had significantly fewer cold symptoms (p=0.046) and decreased viral load in nasal lavages (p=0.009). The safety of the Carrageenan nasal spray was also confirmed.
Dr Andreas Grassauer, CEO and co-founder of Marinomed, commented: “This remarkable treatment is the first demonstrably effective therapy that challenges the viral causes of the common cold. We are delighted with these positive clinical results, especially because this is the first product to emerge from our technology platform.”
Marinomed’s antiviral nasal spray using Carrageenan is the first product based on the Company’s innovative technology platform mavirex. The nasal spray is currently marketed in Austria and was recently licensed to Boehringer Ingelheim for Europe, CIS and South America. The paper entitled “Efficacy and safety of an antiviral Iota-Carrageenan nasal spray: a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled pilot study in volunteers with early symptoms of the common cold” by Ron Eccles, Christiane Meier, Martez Jawad, Regina Weinmüllner, Andreas Grassauer and Eva Prieschl-Grassauer has been published on 10th August 2010 in Respiratory Research, Volume 11:108.
About Marinomed Biotechnologie GmbH
Marinomed Biotechnologie GmbH was founded in 2006 and develops therapies against respiratory diseases based on an innovative technology platform. The usability of this safe and effective technology has been proven by its first marketed product: an anti-viral nasal spray. The huge potential of the technology is reflected by Marinomed´s additional products concentrating on influenza, combination products for asthmatics and other high-risk patients. In addition, the Company develops a novel treatment against type I allergy and autoimmune diseases. Marinomed Biotechnologie GmbH is a spin-off from the Veterinary University Vienna and is located in Vienna, Austria. For further information please visit the website at www.marinomed.com
Contact: Johanna Uhlmann Business Development Marinomed Biotechnologie GmbH Tel: +43 (0)1 25077 4460 Johanna.Uhlmann@marinomed.com
Dr. Douglas Pretsell Associate Partner College Hill Tel : +49 (0) 89 5700 1806 Douglas.Pretsell@collegehill.com
