SYDNEY, Australia, Feb. 6 /Xinhua-PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Specialist pharmaceutical company Pharmaxis Ltd announced today that it has appointed Mark Sanders as its European Regional Director, and has established a subsidiary company to serve the European market based in the United Kingdom. This first overseas management appointment is timed to prepare the markets and partnerships necessary for the commercial launch of Pharmaxis’ first product, Aridol, later this year.
In line with Pharmaxis strategy of hiring experienced managers, Mark Sanders has 25 years international experience in managing commercial and business development operations in the respiratory market for pharmaceutical and device companies in Europe. He was most recently Commercial Director at Innovata Biomed Ltd where he was responsible for strategic planning, licensing activity and product launches. Mark is a respected expert in respiratory device development and has consulted to the FDA in this area.
Chief Executive Officer of Pharmaxis, Alan Robertson, said ''Our vision is to create a globally integrated pharmaceutical company which takes innovative products from the research bench to the patient. The appointment of Mark Sanders is an important milestone on that path as we prepare to launch Aridol into Europe and commence European pivotal Phase III studies with Bronchitol for cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis. He brings new specialist skills to the Pharmaxis management team and will make a valuable addition to our operations in Europe.’'
To find out more about Pharmaxis, go to http://www.pharmaxis.com.au .
About Pharmaxis
Pharmaxis (ACN 082 811 630) is a specialist pharmaceutical company involved in the research, development and commercialization of therapeutic products for chronic respiratory and autoimmune diseases. Its development pipeline of products include Aridol(TM) for the management of asthma, Bronchitol(TM) for cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and PXS25 for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.
Founded in 1998, Pharmaxis was listed on the Australian Stock Exchange in November 2003 (symbol PXS), and on NASDAQ (symbol PXSL) in August 2005. The company is headquartered in Sydney at its TGA-approved manufacturing facilities. For more information about Pharmaxis, go to www.pharmaxis.com.au or contact Jane Sugden, Investor Relations +61 2 9454 7230.
About Aridol
Asthma is among the top 10 most commonly cited reasons for consulting a physician. Yet physicians currently rely upon older tests that are often inaccurate and cumbersome to assess airway inflammation in patients with asthma.
The innovative Aridol lung function test, developed by Australian researchers and Pharmaxis Ltd, will help doctors more accurately determine the severity of a patient’s disease and allow prescription of the right amount of medication.
The simple 15-minute test uses a patented formulation of mannitol processed into a respirable dry powder. The test requires the patient to inhale increasing doses of Aridol, which causes the airways to narrow and contract. Airway changes are simply detected by measuring the air a person can exhale. The smaller the dose required to cause contraction, the more severe the patient’s asthma. People without airway inflammation do not respond to an Aridol challenge test.
Doctors can use the results of this test to measure how severe a patient’s asthma is and the medication and dose required to bring it under control.
About Bronchitol
Pharmaxis Ltd is developing Bronchitol for the management of chronic obstructive lung diseases including cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis and chronic bronchitis.
Bronchitol is a proprietary formulation of mannitol administered as a dry powder in a convenient hand-held inhaler. It is designed to hydrate the lungs, restore normal lung clearance mechanisms, and help patients clear mucus more effectively.
Clinical studies have shown Bronchitol to be well tolerated, to improve quality of life, and to stimulate mucus hydration and clearance in people with cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis.
Longer term clinical studies involving Bronchitol in cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis are underway. These studies aim to demonstrate an improvement in lung function and quality of life, and a reduction in infection and physiotherapy needs.
Forward-Looking Statements
The statements contained in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements in this press release include statements regarding our expectations, beliefs, hopes, goals, intentions, initiatives or strategies, including statements regarding the potential for Aridol and Bronchitol. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are based upon information available to us as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. We cannot guarantee that any product candidate will receive FDA or other regulatory approval or that we will seek any such approval. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, factors discussed in the “Risk Factors and Other Uncertainties” section of our Form 20-F lodged with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
CONTACT: Alan Robertson - Pharmaxis Chief Executive Officer Tel: +61-2-9454-7202 Fax: +61-2-9451-3622 Website: www.pharmaxis.com.au Released through: United States: Brandon Lewis Trout Group Tel: +1-212-477-9007 Email: blewis@troutgroup.com Australia: Ashley Rambukwella Financial & Corporate Relations Pty Ltd. Tel: +61-2-8264-1004 or +61-407-231-282 Email: a.rambukwella@fcr.com.au
Pharmaxis Ltd
CONTACT: Alan Robertson of Pharmaxis, +61-2-9454-7202, or fax,+61-2-9451-3622; or Brandon Lewis of Trout Group for Pharmaxis,+1-212-477-9007, or blewis@troutgroup.com; Ashley Rambukwella of Financial& Corporate Relations Pty Ltd. for Pharmaxis, +61-2-8264-1004, or+61-407-231-282, or a.rambukwella@fcr.com.au
Web site: http://www.pharmaxis.com.au/
