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Forest Laboratories sees progress with cystic fibrosis inhaler

Date published: 21/12/2005

A new cystic fibrosis antibiotic inhaler has gained orphan drug status with the European Medicines Agency (EMEA). Frost Laboratories' dry powder version of Colomycin is designed for patients with cystic fibrosis who have also developed a Pseudomonas Aeruginosa infection in their lungs. A phase III study into its effectiveness is currently being held in cystic fibrosis centres across Europe.

Dr Jane Davies of London's Royal Brompton Hospital, who took part in earlier studies, told a recent meeting of trial investigators that results from earlier trials had been successful.

"Early indications are that patients find this dry powder inhalation system easier to use and preferable to the conventional nebuliser systems that they currently use to inhale antibiotics. In fact all indications are that CF patients will be able to inhale a full dose of antibiotic treatment in a matter of seconds," she said.

Dr Jane added that it was hoped the inhaler would "decrease the burden of treatment for patients with Cystic Fibrosis who can spend several hours a day administering their treatments using a powered nebuliser".

Colomycin works by breaking the bacteria cell's structure. The firm claims that it is unlikely that bacteria would become resistant to the antibiotic.

© Adfero Ltd

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