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| |  New Drug More Effective Than Current Therapies For Rheumatoid Arthritis VANCOUVER, B.C., June 26, 1997 -- Bispan, an experimental treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, appears to be more potent and less toxic in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis than currently used therapies. In this ex vivo study, the impact of Bispan on human white blood cells implicated in rheumatoid arthritis, was compared to three classes of anti-inflammatory drugs currently in use. The studies were conducted by incubating Bispan, developed by Inflazyme Pharmaceuticals Ltd., and the white blood cells, applying an inflammatory stimulus and then measuring Bispan's ability to prevent the release of inflammatory mediators. Bispan significantly halted the production within these cells of chemicals and molecules linked to inflammation. Bispan was also administered at significantly lower concentrations than currently marketed products and achieved comparable levels of efficacy in halting the inflammatory process as the currently used drugs. The three classes of anti-inflammatories compared to Bispan for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis were dexamethasone, a steroid treatment; indomethacin, a leading NSAID; and methotrexate and taxol, anti-cancer agents that are also used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The inflammation of the joints and cartilage characterized by rheumatoid arthritis is linked to the production of free oxygen radicals, enzymes and cytokines by the inflammatory cells. Inflazyme's anti-inflammatory products function by inhibiting key regulatory proteins, such as NF-kB, known as transcription factors. Arthritic reactions are painful conditions derived from the effect of harmful chemicals generated by the immune system which cause cartilage destruction, bone erosion and, eventually, joint deformities. Inflazyme Pharmaceuticals Ltd. is a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the discovery, design, and development of novel generations of pharmaceuticals which combat major inflammatory diseases, such as asthma, allergies, arthritis, psoriasis, and a number of other illnesses categorized as inflammatory diseases. More information on: Inflazyme Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
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