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PharmaFrontiers Announces Positive Interim Results of Two Phase I/II Clinical Trials for Multiple Sclerosis.


THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- PharmaFrontiers Corp. (OTCBB OTCBB

See OTC Bulletin Board (OTCBB).
:PFTR), a company involved in the development and commercialization of cell therapies, announced that interim results of Tovaxin(TM) in two Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Phase I/II open-label studies indicated that it was safe and well tolerated, and patients showed positive responses. All patients enrolled in the studies had received prior standard of care therapy for MS and were in the relapsing remitting or secondary progressive stages of MS.

Tovaxin(TM) is a trivalent trivalent /tri·va·lent/ (tri-va´lent) having a valence of three.

tri·va·lent
adj.
Having valence 3.



tri·va
 formulation of attenuated myelin-peptide reactive T cells (MRTCs), which are derived from peripheral blood and produced ex vivo as myelin basic protein Myelin basic protein (MBP) is a protein believed to be important in the process of myelination of nerves in the central nervous system (CNS).

MBP was initially sequenced in 1979 after isolation from myelin membranes [1]
 (MBP (Manchester Bus Powered) A synchronous transmission standard used in industrial networks. It provides 31.25 Kbps over a two-wire connection that delivers power in the bus and intrinsic safety. ), proteolipid protein (PLP (Presentation Level Protocol) A North American standard protocol for videotex. ) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein (MOG) is a glycoprotein believed to be important in the process of myelinization of nerves in the central nervous system (CNS).

The gene for MOG, found on chromosome 6, was first sequenced in 1995 [1].
 (MOG v. t. 1. To move away; to go off.
[

imp. & p. p. os> Mogged

r>;

p. pr. & vb. n. os> Mogging.]
) reactive T cells.

An interim analysis of a Phase I/II dose-escalation study of six evaluable patients, half of whom received a low dose (six to nine million MRTCs) and the other half received a mid dose (30-45 million MRTCs) during the six-month evaluable period, indicated that the Tovaxin(TM) therapy reduces peripheral blood MRTC MRTC Mälardalen Real-Time research Centre
MRTC More Room Throughout Coach (American Airlines)
MRTC Morrissey Rehabilitation & Treatment Counselling (Canada) 
 levels in concert with improvements in disability scores Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale The Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) is a method of quantifying disability in multiple sclerosis.[1] The EDSS quantifies disability in eight Functional Systems (FS) and allows neurologists to assign a Functional System Score (FSS) in each of these.  (EDSS) as well as in disability neurological assessments for psychological scores Multiple Sclerosis 29 point Impact Scale (MSIS-29). The exacerbation rate over the previous two years for the patients was 1.18 per year. Only one treated patient reported an exacerbation during the six-month evaluable period in this study. All of the related adverse events were mild or moderate in severity.

An interim analysis of a Phase I/II extension study of nine evaluable patients, who received two doses (30-45 million MRTCs) during the six-month evaluable period, indicated a mean percent reduction in MRTCs observed at three and six months for all three categories of MRTCs. A statistically significant percent (greater than minus 60%) reduction in PLP T cells was observed at three and six months. There was a percentage reduction (greater than or equal to minus 21%) in MBP and MOG T cells at three and six months. Percentage reductions in the EDSS and MSIS-29 physiological scores from baseline were observed at the three and six-month follow-up visits. The exacerbation rate over the previous two years for the patients was 0.85 per year. There were no exacerbations during the six-month evaluable period in this study. The most common adverse event was injection site pain, reported by four patients. Adverse events reported by two patients included muscle weakness, abnormal vision, anorexia, pharyngitis pharyngitis

Inflammation and infection (usually bacterial or viral) of the pharynx. Symptoms include pain (sore throat, worse on swallowing), redness, swollen lymph nodes, and fever.
 / nasopharyngitis, neuropathy and paresthesia paresthesia /par·es·the·sia/ (par?es-the´zhah) morbid or perverted sensation; an abnormal sensation, as burning, prickling, formication, etc.

par·es·the·sia or par·aes·the·sia
n.
. All of the related adverse events were mild or moderate in severity.

"We are very encouraged by these preliminary MRTC levels, which demonstrated a dose response and large mean percentage reductions from baseline at follow-up visits during the six-month period," said David B. McWilliams, chief executive officer of PharmaFrontiers. "Accordingly, we plan on beginning our Phase IIb/III clinical trials by the end of 2005 or early 2006." The Company's preliminary results and clinical development plans will be discussed at a June 4 luncheon at the 19th Annual Meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers in Orlando, FL.

"These data, combined with the strong safety profile of Tovaxin(TM), should be welcome news to all MS patients and their families, especially in light of disappointing product news of this past year," Mr. McWilliams added.

About PharmaFrontiers Corporation

PharmaFrontiers' strategy is to develop and commercialize cell therapies to treat several major disease areas such as cardiac and pancreatic conditions and Multiple Sclerosis. The company holds the exclusive worldwide license from the University of Chicago, through its prime contractor relationship with Argonne National Laboratory Argonne National Laboratory, research center, based in Argonne, Ill., 27 mi (43 km) SW of downtown Chicago, with other facilities at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, 50 mi (80 km) W of Idaho Falls, Idaho. Founded in 1946 by the U.S. , for patents relating to the use of adult pluripotent stem cells derived from patients' own circulating blood. PharmaFrontiers also owns patented and proprietary individualized cell therapies that are in FDA FDA
abbr.
Food and Drug Administration


FDA,
n.pr See Food and Drug Administration.

FDA,
n.pr the abbreviation for the Food and Drug Administration.
 Phase I/II human dose ranging clinical trials to evaluate their safety and effectiveness in treating MS.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains "forward-looking statements," including statements about PharmaFrontiers' growth and future operating results, discovery and development of products, strategic alliances and intellectual property, as well as other matters that are not historical facts or information. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current assumptions and expectations and involve risks, uncertainties and other important factors, specifically including those relating to PharmaFrontiers' ability to obtain additional funding, develop its stem cell technologies, achieve its operational objectives, and obtain patent protection for its discoveries, that may cause PharmaFrontiers' actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. PharmaFrontiers undertakes no obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 2005, Gale Group. All rights reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.

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Publication:Business Wire
Date:Jun 3, 2005
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