Morria Biopharmaceuticals Initiates Clinical Study Of MRX-4 In Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic Rhinitis

Morria Biopharmaceuticals Plc initiates a Phase I tolerance study of MRX-4 in 16 patients suffering from allergic rhinitis (AR).

The randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind clinical trial is the first of two modules focusing on safety for Morria's first human study in AR. MRX-4 is nasally administered as a single dose either with or without an allergen challenge to determine tolerance. Results are expected by the end of the fourth quarter of 2007.

"We are excited to be taking this significant step toward introducing a potentially safer, more effective and more affordable treatment option to the multibillion-dollar AR market," said Yuval Cohen Ph.D., President of Morria.

"There is a real and urgent need for novel, non-steroidal treatments for inflammatory diseases such as allergic rhinitis. Morria's drug platform could potentially offer such an alternative," said Peter Barnes, a professor at the National Heart & Lung Institute at Imperial College in London and Morria scientific advisory board member.

ABOUT ALLERGIC RHINITIS

Allergic rhinitis is a common condition that affects nearly 59 million people in the United States (nearly 20 percent of the population) with a market of nearly $4 billion. Allergic rhinitis is characterized by inflammation of the nasal membranes accompanied by symptoms that may include sneezing, nasal congestion, nasal itching and rhinorrhea.