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Master
Total Posts 103
Joined 2007-10-08
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NCT has been shown to have promising anti-microbial activity against
bacteria, yeasts and molds, as well as antiviral activity against a number
of viruses. To date, NCT has been shown to be safe and well tolerated in
multiple applications, including sinus and ear infections, as well as in
viral conjunctivitis, or pink eye. Its natural sterility and absence of
preservatives make NCT especially well-suited for ocular applications.
About Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK)
Acanthamoeba keratitis is an infection of the transparent outer
covering of the eye, or the cornea, caused by a microscopic, free-living
amoeba. Acanthamoeba is commonly found in water, soil and air. AK infection
is uncommon in healthy individuals, but contact lens wearers who improperly
store or disinfect their lenses or who wear lenses while showering or
swimming are at higher risk of developing an infection. Current treatment
regimens can last a year or more and include a combination of prescription
eye medications. Severe vision impairment or loss of the eye may occur,
even if the condition is diagnosed early and managed appropriately.
* “Cytotoxic Activity of N-Chlorotaurine on Acanthamoeba spp,”
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. (Furnkranz, U et al. Antimocrob.
Agents Chemother.2008;52:470-476).
About Pathogenics, Inc.
Pathogenics, Inc. (PTGN.PK) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on
developing its proprietary formulations of N-Chlorotaurine (NCT) for the
treatment or prevention of infections. After NCT kills a pathogen, the
agent quickly breaks down into natural substances already found in the
human body, and therefore it is likely to be extremely safe, non-toxic and
hypoallergenic. Unlike antibiotics, the way NCT kills pathogens prevents
development of drug resistance. NCT has successfully completed Phase II
studies for several topical and body cavity infections. For more
information, visit the company’s website at http://www.pathogenics.com
About OPKO Health, Inc.
Miami-based OPKO is a specialty healthcare company. Its lead
investigational drug, the pioneering gene silencing agent bevasiranib, has
entered a pivotal Phase III trial after successfully completing Phase II
trials for wet age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema.
OPKO is developing a pipeline of novel agents for ophthalmic diseases and
markets innovative diagnostic imaging systems that complement the company’s
therapeutic products. For more information visit the company’s website at
http://www.opko.com.
This press release contains “forward-looking statements,” as that term
is defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
(PSLRA), which statements may be identified by words such as “expects,”
“plans,” “projects,” “will,” “may,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “should,”
“intends,” “estimates,” and other words of similar meaning, including
statements regarding the potential utility and benefits of NCT in treating
serious ocular infections, and our ability to develop a preclinical
pipeline of novel agents for ophthalmic diseases and to develop NCT as a
treatment for viral conjunctivitis, as well as other non-historical
statements about our expectations, beliefs or intentions regarding our
business, technologies and products, financial condition, strategies or
prospects. Many factors could cause our actual activities or results to
differ materially from the activities and results anticipated in
forward-looking statements. These factors include those factors described
in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as
risks inherent in funding, developing and obtaining regulatory approvals of
new, commercially-viable and competitive products and treatments, including
the risks that enrollment of patients for the Phase III clinical trial for
bevasiranib, may not be successful, that the Phase III clinical trial
itself may not be completed on a timely basis or at all, that any of our
compounds under development, including bevasiranib and NCT, may fail, may
not achieve the expected results or effectiveness and may not generate data
that would support the approval or marketing of products for the
indications being studied or for other indications. In addition, forward-
looking statements may also be adversely affected by general market
factors, competitive product development, product availability, federal and
state regulations and legislation, the regulatory process for new products
and indications, manufacturing issues that may arise, patent positions and
litigation, among other factors. The forward-looking statements contained
in this press release speak only as of the date the statements were made,
and we do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking
statements. We intend that all forward-looking statements be subject to the
safe-harbor provisions of the PSLRA.
Contacts:
OPKO Corporate: Pathogenics, Inc. OPKO Media:
Steven D. Rubin Fred Zotos GendeLLindheim BioCom Partners
305 575-6000 781 556-1090 Barbara Lindheim
212 918-4650
SOURCE OPKO Health, Inc.
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