SAN DIEGO, June 13 /PRNewswire/ -- MediciNova, Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company that is publicly traded on the Hercules Market of the Osaka Securities Exchange (Code Number: 4875), today announced the initiation of a clinical development program designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of MN-221, a highly selective B2-adrenergic receptor agonist, for the treatment of status asthmaticus. Status asthmaticus is a long-lasting and severe asthma episode in which asthma symptoms are not responsive to initial bronchodilator or corticosteroid therapy. Status asthmaticus is an emergency situation that can lead to death; Emergency Department treatment and in some cases hospital admission are indicated. MediciNova has developed and studied an intravenous formulation of MN-221 appropriate for hospital use. MediciNova plans to initiate a Phase II study in patients with status asthmaticus under a U.S. IND for this indication later this year, representing MediciNova’s eighth development program, seven of which will be in Phase II - III this year.
