RNS Number:0429D
SR Pharma PLC
3 May 2001
Embargoed Press Announcement: 0700 hours 3rd May 2001
Start of SRL172 trials in the prevention of Hepatitis B infection
SR Pharma plc today announces that SRL172 is to be the subject of two
Hepatitis B prevention trials to be conducted by investigators from the
Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, Australia.
The first trial is designed to assess if a combination of SRL172 plus
Hepatitis B vaccination improves the prospects of individuals who are chronic
carriers of the disease. Hepatitis B vaccination is currently ineffective in
these individuals and of the estimated 350 million chronic carriers, 25% are
expected to develop liver disease leading to cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Previous studies have demonstrated that the immunomodulating properties of
SRL172 support its use as a potential vaccine adjuvant.
Dr Paul Goldwater, Senior Clinical Microbiologist at the hospital commented:
"Our trial will establish whether immunisation of Hepatitis B carriers with
Hepatitis B vaccine, given together with M. vaccae (SRL172), will help the
carriers rid themselves of the Hepatitis B virus"
In a second trial, combined treatment with SRL172 and Hepatitis B vaccine will
be evaluated in individuals who have failed to develop the expected antibody
response to the vaccine alone. Non-responsiveness to immunisation with
Hepatitis B vaccine is of particular concern to groups such as health care
workers and police who may encounter a higher risk of exposure to the
Hepatitis B virus.
For further information, please contact:
Dr Thomas Lang Adam Reynolds/Takki Sulaiman
Business Development Director Chairman
SR Pharma plc Hansard Communications.com
Tel: 020 7307 1629 Tel: 020 7735 9415
t.lang@srpharma.com adam.hansard@clsholdings.com
Notes to editors:
About SR Pharma:
SR Pharma plc (SPA.L), the London based biopharmaceutical company, is
committed to developing innovative medicines based on an improved
understanding of the role played by the immune system in combating disease.
The company's product, SRL172, is being investigated as both a monotherapy and
as a vaccine adjuvant in cancer and Hepatitis B . A new formulation, SRP 299,
is about to enter Phase II in asthma. A third product, AvacTM, is in phase I
trials and is being investigated in allergic disorders. These products enhance
the immune responses needed to combat cancer, while regulating those that
mediate allergies. The company's web site can be found on www.srpharma.com.
About Hepatitis B
Around two billion people have been infected with the Hepatitis B virus at
some time in their life and about 350 million are chronic carriers of the
disease. Approximately 5-10% of the population vaccinated against Hepatitis B
fail to develop an appropriate immune response and are therefore not
protected from infection by the virus.
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