Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2001. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
PRNewswire - November 19, 2001
"While there is no assurances in the development of any new pharmaceutical product, we are excited to have the opportunity to test oral interferon in the treatment of oral warts that often affect HIV-infected people and severely impacts their quality of life," said David R. Bethune, chairman and chief executive officer at Atrix. "We expect to move this product into the clinic in the next several months."
Low-dose oral interferon-alpha is administered as a lozenge, which is allowed to dissolve slowly in the mouth. Oral dosing with interferon-alpha has a number of advantages over the injectable form; in addition to substantially fewer side effects, the lozenge is more convenient, cost effective and does not require refrigerated storage. The low-dose interferon product was granted orphan drug designation for treatment of oral warts in HIV-infected patients in August 2000 with an additional approval for Behcet's disease granted in January 2000.
Oral warts is a painful chronic condition often associated with HIV-infected patients. Studies suggest that in the past decade the incidence of oral warts in the HIV-infected population has dramatically increased from 6% to 26% in association with the advent of aggressive anti-HIV treatments, including the use of protease inhibitors. Currently there is no satisfactory treatment for this condition.
Atrix Laboratories, Inc. is an emerging specialty pharmaceutical company focused on advanced drug delivery. With five unique patented technologies, Atrix is currently developing a diverse portfolio of proprietary products, including oncology, pain management, and dermatology products. The company also partners with large pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to apply its proprietary technologies to new chemical entities or to extend the patent life of existing products. Atrix has strategic alliances with several pharmaceutical companies including collaborations with Pfizer, Elan Corporation plc, Sanofi-Synthelabo, Fujisawa Healthcare Inc., CollaGenex Pharmaceuticals, Inc., MediGene AG, and the Novartis company -- Geneva Pharmaceuticals, to use its drug delivery technologies and expertise in the development of new products. Additional information is available on the Atrix Laboratories, Inc. Web site at http://www.atrixlabs.com .
Statements contained in this press release, which are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements, as the term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which can cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated, due to a number of factors, which include, but are not limited to, product demand, pricing, market acceptance, changing economic conditions, risks in product and technology development, the effect of the company's accounting policies and other risk factors discussed in documents filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.
For further information, please contact: Danette R.M. Meyer, Ph.D., Director, Investor Relations of Atrix Laboratories, Inc., +1-970-482-5868, Dmeyer@atrixlab.com; or Investor Relations Firm, Robert Jaffe of Pondel Wilkinson MS&L, +1-310-207-9300, rjaffe@pondel.com, for Atrix Laboratories, Inc.
011119
PR011129
Copyright © 2001 - PRNewswire. All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through PRNewswire, Permissions, 810 Seventh Ave., 32nd Floor, New York, NY 10019 http://www.PRNewswire.com.
AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, iMetrikus, Inc., the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2001. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2001. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .