ChiRhoClin Announces a Human Secretin Study Completed for MRCP Imaging.

BURTONSVILLE, Md. -- One of ChiRhoClin's independent investigators has completed a human secretin enhanced MRCP study and recently reported the results at 2006 Joint Meeting of the American Pancreatic Association and International Association of Pancreatology. This study utilized human secretin enhanced MRCP (sMRCP) as a pancreas function test and compared the results to the current "Gold Standard" secretin stimulated endoscopic pancreas function test (ePFT). The use of sMRCP as a pancreas function test failed to be as good as the ePFT, however it was better than MRCP alone and suggested that the sMRCP may be useful as an initial screening test. An additional sMRCP function test study was completed and the results are expected within several weeks.

ChiRhoClin is conducting a large sMRCP multicenter study, expected to be completed in 2007, that is not based on the pancreas function test. Dr. Edward D. Purich, CEO for ChiRhoClin commented, "ChiRhoClin has been conducting these studies as part of its commitment to its exclusive license agreement with Wayne State for its secretin enhanced MRCP patent. Given the latest study data, I do feel that a modest increase in secretin sales is possible." The MRI community is aware that sMRCP studies already completed show that using human secretin improves the visual clarity by sharpening the MRI images. Studies show the mechanism for sharpening the MRI images by ChiRhoStim([R]) (Human Secretin for injection) is that of stimulation of the pancreas to secrete pancreatic fluid. This fluid from the pancreatic ducts is visible on MRI images. The pancreatic fluid acts as a contrast to provide a sharper MRCP image for the Radiologist. ChiRhoClin's large multicenter MRI study should provide answers in determining if the improvement in MRCP imaging by ChiRhoStim([R]) will have diagnostic utility.

ChiRhoClin received FDA approval for ChiRhoStim[R] in 2004. ChiRhoStim[R] is approved for pancreatic function testing by increasing the pancreatic fluid flow. ChiRhoStim([R]) is a pure synthetic peptide, made using solid-phase synthesis and not manufactured by a recombinant process. Studies have shown that recombinant products utilizing cell cultures may have retroviruses. ChiRhoClin's synthetic Human Secretin peptide avoids this risk.

For more information on sMRCP and to learn about using ChiRhoStim[R] (Human Secretin for injection) to perform this imaging method please call 301-476-8388 or email the marketing director at [e-mail].