SAN DIEGO, April 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Trega Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: TRGA)
today announced that it has initiated a phase I dose-escalation trial
evaluating the safety of administering its proprietary compound, HP 228, to
the lungs. In this trial, HP 228 is being delivered using Dura
Pharmaceuticals' Spiros(R) Inhalation System -- a proprietary pulmonary drug
delivery system. The trial is a randomized, double-blind study evaluating the
safety and bioavailability of HP 228 when administered to the lung by
inhalation. The study, which will involve approximately 40 healthy volunteers,
is being conducted in Europe. Dura Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: DURA) developed
the HP 228 formulation for delivery in Spiros as part of an alliance with
Trega formed in 1996.
"HP 228 has demonstrated efficacy in a variety of pre-clinical models of
inflammation and an injectable dosage form is currently under study in a phase
II trial for the management of acute, post-surgical pain," stated Dr. Lawrence
Muschek, Trega's president, research & development. "While the Company
believes that HP 228 may prove useful in its current dosage form in post-
surgical pain, our objective is to search for more convenient routes of
delivery to enhance patient compliance, or to improve specific utility in
other inflammatory conditions such as asthma."
In pre-clinical testing, HP 228 has demonstrated activity at the
melanocortin receptors and has been shown to increase the anti-inflammatory
cytokine IL-10 and to decrease inflammatory cytokines in the circulation and
in tissues. By modulating cytokine levels, HP 228 may be useful in the
management of inflammation associated with conditions such as pain and chronic
bronchial asthma.
Dura Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a San Diego-based developer and marketer of
prescription pharmaceutical products for the treatment of allergies, asthma
and related respiratory conditions. The Spiros(R) Inhalation System is a
proprietary pulmonary drug delivery system designed to make it easier for
patients to receive a consistent dose of their respiratory medication
independently of the patient's ability to inhale forcefully.
Trega Biosciences is a drug discovery company utilizing combinatorial
chemistry and other technologies to pursue the discovery of novel, small-
molecule drug therapies. The company leverages its technology platform by
entering into pharmaceutical alliances, which provide partners with access to
Trega's technologies in exchange for licensing fees and potential milestones
and royalties, or by establishing joint-discovery alliances with
pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Trega also uses its drug
discovery technologies in its internal development programs, which are focused
today on discovering small molecules acting on melanocortin receptors.
Melanocortins are a newly discovered receptor pathway for the potential
treatment of inflammatory and metabolic diseases.
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters
discussed in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve
risks and uncertainties, including whether any additional collaborations or
alliances will be agreed to, formed or expanded, whether HP 228, whether in
injectable or inhalable forms, can be successfully tested, formulated, scaled-
up, developed, and commercialized, whether regulatory approvals can be
obtained, the impact of competitive products and pricing, whether any
corporate collaborations or alliances will be successful, and other risks
detailed from time to time in Trega's Securities and Exchange Commission
filings. These forward-looking statements represent Trega's judgment as of
the date of this release. Actual results may differ materially from those
projected. Trega disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update these
forward-looking statements.
Web site: http://www.trega.com
Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com or
fax, 800-758-5804, ext. 374050
CONTACT:
Lawrence D. Muschek, Ph.D., President,
Research & Development, Trega Biosciences, Inc., 619-455-2582
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