Released on = May 30, 2006, 4:13 am

Press Release Author = La Merie Business Intelligence

Industry = Biotech

Press Release Summary = The Localized delivery of phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE-4)
inhibitors appears to be short term solution to overcome the dose-limiting side
effects of severe nausea and emesis occurring after oral administration. In the
long-term, subtype-selective PDE-4 inhibitors and combination regimens may help to
improve the therapeutic index.

Press Release Body = Barcelona, Spain | May 30, 2006 | The Business Intelligence
firm La Merie S.L. reported today that application of PDE-4 inhibitors as inhaled
treatment for bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or
as nasal suspension for the treatment of allergic rhinitis are increasingly used
clinical options to avoid dose-limiting side effects of severe nausea and vomiting
seen with oral administration. Furthermore, topical administration of PDE-4
inhibitors is evaluated in atopic dermatitis and allergic conjunctivitis. Further
clinical uses of PDE-4 inhibitors are inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid
arthritis and ulcerative colitis apart from memory disorders such as Alzheimer's
disease. These results and more were found in a competitor analysis conducted by La
Merie Business Intelligence. The findings of the search can be acquired at
www.pipelinereview.com, La Merie's News Center and Online Store.

Most of the orally delivered PDE-4 inhibitors to treat asthma and COPD did not make
it beyond phase II clinical studies. The major challenge is a narrow therapeutic
index caused by dose-limiting side effects, including severe nausea and emesis. The
two PDE-4 inhibitors which reached the registration phase were either withdrawn from
the MAA process (roflumilast) or received an approvable letter requesting additional
confirmatory trial data. The interest in PDE-4 inhibitors still is high as reflected
by at least five ongoing development projects in pulmonary & respiratory diseases.
The anti-inflammatory properties of PDE-4 inhibitors are also evaluated in atopic
dermatitis, allergic conjunctivitis, rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis.
Several companies are specifically searching for PDE-4 inhibitors in memory
disorders and ischemic stroke.

Non-selective PDE-4 inhibitors , multi-PDE inhibitors and dual M3/PDE-4 blockers are
also evaluated in a variety of inflammatory indications including multiple
sclerosis, psoriasis, COPD/asthma and cystitis. Most of the inhibitors are small
molecules, but antisense may be used for inhalation treatment.



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About La Merie
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information visit www.lamerie.com.

SOURCE: La Merie Business Intelligence


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