BUNNIK, The Netherlands, August 10 /PRNewswire/ -- AM-Pharma B.V., a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the pre-clinical and early clinical development of novel compounds to treat infectious and inflammatory diseases, announces the issuance of the patent for one of its lead products, the antimicrobial peptide hLF1-11, by the US and EU patent offices (US patent 7,060,677 and European patent 1228097). The patents claim the use of the hLF1-11 peptide and its derivatives, to produce drugs with high efficacy against a broad spectrum of bacterial, fungal and viral infections.
Among others, AM-Pharma research has been aimed at testing a variety of human lactoferrin derivatives for their antimicrobial activity. The first lead compound that emerged from this research, hLF1-11, consists of the first eleven amino acids of the natural human lactoferrin. Safety and efficacy of the peptide was successfully demonstrated in pre-clinical animal models. No toxicity and no adverse reactions were observed in both single dose and multiple ascending doses studies. Recent results from Phase I clinical trials in humans show that hLF1-11 is safe and induced no signs of toxicity, immune responses or other adverse events that could be attributed to the peptide.
Based on these findings hLF1-11 is currently evaluated in a Phase II trial as an effective and safe antibacterial and antifungal substance for the prevention of severe fungal and bacterial infections, especially in patient undergoing bone marrow stem cell transplantations (UMC St Radboud, Nijmegen, The Netherlands). In this population, incidence rates of severe infections and related mortality are high. This provides an important indication to establish early clinical proof-of-principle. AM-Pharma has generated substantial pre-clinical data to support this indication. Dr. Bruno Giannetti, President & Chief Executive of AM-Pharma: "The granting of these patents forms the basis for the development of a novel class of antibiotics for the treatment of systemic infections." AM-Pharma is currently validating additional indications for this lead compound.
AM-Pharma is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company based in Bunnik, the Netherlands. The company's business is focused on the preclinical and early clinical development of novel compounds in the field of severe infectious diseases and their consequences, as well as inflammatory diseases. AM-Pharma currently employs 22 staff and is financed by ABN-AMRO Capital Life Sciences and Inventages Venture Capital.
This release contains forward-looking statements that are not based on historical facts. These forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, events or developments to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance
Visit the company's website at www.AM-Pharma.com
For further information about AM-Pharma, please contact Markwin Velders (CSO) or Bruno Giannetti (CEO) on +31-30-228-9-222, email m.velders@am-pharma.com and b.giannetti@am-pharma.com
