Breakthrough Medication for Cystic Fibrosis Requires Specific Nebulizer.

MIDLOTHIAN, Va.--(BW HealthWire)--June 17, 1998--Tobramycin solution for inhalation (TOBI(R)), a formulation of the antibiotic tobramycin, was recently approved for cystic fibrosis (CF) patients with the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

This bacterium accounts for 80 percent of CF lung infections and causes severe lung damage.

"TOBI is a significant advance in treating people with cystic fibrosis because, in the past, this drug formulation was only given intravenously, now it can be administered more easily with the use of a nebulizer," said Robert J. Beall, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF).

TOBI has been approved for administration using the PARI LC PLUS(TM) Reusable Nebulizer and DeVilbiss Pulmo-Aide(R) compressor. "Using the proper nebulizer is especially important," said Maryellen Thielen of PathoGenesis Corp., the company that developed TOBI.

"TOBI's formulation was specifically designed for use with the PARI LC PLUS nebulizer. This delivery system allows the correct particle size of the drug to be delivered to the infected areas of the lungs to optimize TOBI's safely and efficacy," Thielen said.

"We also chose the LC PLUS because of its wide acceptance by the CF community. With the LC PLUS, a TOBI treatment takes about 15 minutes twice a day, in alternating cycles of 28 days on drug, 28 days off drug."

CF is a life-shortening inherited disease affecting 30,000 people in the U.S. TOBI is the first FDA-approved inhalation solution to treat people with CF.

For more information about the PARI LC PLUS(TM), call Pari Respiratory Equipment Inc. at 800/FAST-NEB (327-8632).

   CONTACT:  Pari Respiratory Equipment
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              D & J Associates
              Dawn Marvin, 703/317-1360