VANCOUVER, Canada— iCo Therapeutics Inc. (TSX-V: ICO) is pleased to announce that iCo-009 has been highlighted in a leading drug delivery journal, Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews. The paper discusses the development of a novel oral Amphotericin B (AmpB) formulation (“iCo-009”) with significant antifungal activity, minimal kidney toxicity, and enhanced oral absorption of AmpB.
The publication, “Enhanced drug absorption using lipids: A case study presenting the development and pharmacological evaluation of a novel lipid-based oral Amphotericin B formulation for the treatment of systemic fungal infections”, provides further detail on the potential mechanisms by which oral iCo-009 knocks down fungal infections.
Publication highlights:
· iCo-009 significantly decreased (95%) organ fungal concentration of Aspergi llus fumigatus compared to controls in the brain and the spleen, two organs where Aspergi llus fumigatus typica lly localizes in this animal model.
· iCo-009 shows enhanced gastrointestinal tract absorption, plasma concentration, and tissue distribution.
· iCo-009 shows minimal renal toxicity.
· iCo-009 significantly decreased plasma galactomannan antigen levels. Detection of galactomannan in the blood can be used to diagnose Aspergillus fumigatus infections in humans.
“iCo continues to be impressed by the work of Drs. Kishor & E llen Wasan,” stated Andrew Rae, President & CEO of iCo Therapeutics. “Their work continues to improve upon the iCo-009 formulation represented in the paper, with newer formulations showing even more dramatic anti-fungal activity and bioavailability. iCo-009 has the potential to treat not just systemic fungal infections, but also parasitical diseases such as Leishmaniasis in the developing world. iCo remains very committed to UBC’s global access policy and we look forward to proceeding with development in both markets.”
iCo has an option agreement with The University of British Columbia (UBC) for iCo-009’s development, which also represents a new drug delivery technology with the potential to reprofile other IV administered drugs to the oral route of administration. iCo plans to develop iCo-009 under the 505(b)(2) section of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which expressly permits the FDA to reference safety data not developed by the applicant for approval of a New Drug Application (NDA).
Reference:
The paper is available in the March 17, 2008 edition of Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews. K. Sachs-Barrable, S. Lee, E. Wasan, S. Thornton, K. Wasan. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews 60 (2008) 692-701.
About iCo Therapeutics
iCo Therapeutics Inc. is a Vancouver-based reprofiling company focused on redosing or reformulating drugs with clinical history for new or expanded indications. iCo has exclusive worldwide rights to two products, iCo-007, in Phase I for the treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema, and iCo-008, a product with Phase II clinical history to be developed for severe ocular allergies. iCo Therapeutics also has an exclusive option to license iCo-009, a oral reformulation of Amphotericin B for sight and life -threatening diseases. iCo-009 also represents a new drug delivery technology with the potential to reprofile other IV administered drugs to the oral route of administration.
iCo Therapeutics trades on the TSX-Venture exchange under the symbol “ICO”.
For more information, visit the company website at: icotherapeutics.cdmail.biz
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