Accentia Biopharmaceuticals Announces Option Agreement with Mayo on Patented Treatment Using Intranasal Antifungals for Chronic Sinusitis.TAMPA, Fla. -- Accentia Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ NASDAQ in full National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations U.S. market for over-the-counter securities. Established in 1971 by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), NASDAQ is an automated quotation system that reports on :ABPI ABPI Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry ABPI Associação Brasileira da Propriedade Intelectual (Brazilian Intellectual Property Association; Brazil) ABPI Ankle Brachial Pressure Index ) announced today that it has signed an option agreement with the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research for the exclusive right to negotiate a license for a method of use for any and all antifungals other than amphotericin B amphotericin B (ăm'fətĕr`ĭsĭn), antibiotic that halts the growth of several disease-causing fungi. Discovered in 1956, it is produced by bacteria of the genus Streptomyces. applied intranasally for the treatment of chronic sinusitis chronic sinusitis Chronic sinus infection ENT Inflammation of the sinuses that empty into the nasal cavity Etiology Allergic rhinitis, nasal obstruction, deviated nasal septum, tooth abscesses, URIs , sometimes known as chronic rhinosinusitis. If unexercised, the option expires on December 6, 2006. Accentia has previously obtained a worldwide exclusive license for the method of use, utilizing the antifungal, amphotericin B, for this indication. Accentia is developing a unique formulation of amphotericin B for intranasal in·tra·na·sal adj. Within the nose. application for the treatment of chronic sinusitis under an Investigational New Drug Application (IND). Chronic sinusitis affects an estimated 31 million Americans. The symptoms are three or more months of chronic nasal obstruction nasal obstruction, n a narrowing of the nasal cavity, which reduces breathing capacity. Caused by an irregular septum, nasal polyps, foreign bodies, or enlarged turbinates. , nasal discharge, and periocular headaches or pressure sensation. The symptoms of chronic inflammation chronic inflammation n. Inflammation that may have a rapid or slow onset but is characterized primarily by its persistence and lack of clear resolution; it occurs when the tissues are unable to overcome the effects of the injuring agent. could include the growth of inflammatory polyps in the nose and recurrent bouts of acute bacterial sinusitis bacterial sinusitis (bak·tēˑ·rē· . There is no approved pharmaceutical for the indication of chronic sinusitis. Many patients with severe disease resort to sinus surgery in an attempt to relieve nasal obstruction and improve sinus drainage. The Mayo Clinic researchers have identified a ubiquitous air-borne fungus in the mucus of the nose and sinuses that elicits an inflammatory response in susceptible patients. Published studies at the Mayo Clinic and elsewhere have demonstrated a significant improvement in signs and symptoms of chronic sinusitis in patients treated with intranasal amphotericin B. "We are working diligently to develop the Mayo patented technology for the treatment of chronic sinusitis with intranasal amphotericin B," said Steve Arikian, MD, President and COO of Accentia's Product Development and Market Services. "We recognized that our impending im·pend intr.v. im·pend·ed, im·pend·ing, im·pends 1. To be about to occur: Her retirement is impending. 2. clinical trials of amphotericin B for this indication, if successful, would validate this discovery of the fungal cause of chronic rhinosinusitis. Accordingly, we wanted to be in a position to optimize our therapeutic franchise in this very large market which has no approved pharmaceutical." In accordance with the Bayh-Dole Act of 1980, Mayo Clinic has licensed technology for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with antifungals to Accentia and will receive royalties from the license. About Accentia Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. Accentia Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of late-stage clinical products in the therapeutic areas of respiratory disease and oncology. Two of these products are SinuNase(TM) and BiovaxID(TM). The Company's SinuNase product, in development to treat chronic sinusitis (rhinosinusitis), is a novel application and formulation of a known anti-fungal licensed from the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. BiovaxID is a patient-specific anti-cancer vaccine focusing on the treatment of follicular fol·lic·u·lar adj. 1. Relating to, having, or resembling a follicle or follicles. 2. Affecting or growing out of a follicle or follicles. non-Hodgkins' lymphoma non-Hodgkins' lymphoma A lymphoid cancer that is not Hodgkins disease: NHL ALL, B cell lymphoma, Burkitt's lymphoma, diffuse cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, immunoblastic large cell lymphoma, lymphoblastic lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, mycosis fungoides, . BiovaxID, which is being developed by our subsidiary Biovest International, Inc. (OTCBB OTCBB See OTC Bulletin Board (OTCBB). :BVTI), is currently in Phase 3 clinical trial phase 3 clinical trial Phase 3 study. See Phase study. . In addition, Accentia has a growing specialty pharmaceutical business, TEAMM Pharmaceuticals, with a portfolio of currently marketed products plus a pipeline of additional products under development by third parties. For further information, please visit our web site: http://www.accentia.net Forward-Looking Statements Statements in this release that are not strictly historical in nature constitute "forward-looking statements." Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements about this option agreement with Mayo, and any other statements relating to Accentia's products, product candidates, and product development programs. Such statements may include, without limitation, statements with respect to the Company's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements identified by words such as "may," "could," "would," "should," "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "intends," "plans" or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause Accentia's actual results to be materially different from historical results or from any results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties related to the progress, timing, cost, and results of Accentia's clinical trials and product development programs; difficulties or delays in obtaining regulatory approval for product candidates; competition from other pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies; and the additional risks discussed in Accentia's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and Accentia undertakes no obligation to revise or update this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. |
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