WAKEFIELD, MA, Oct. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- NUCRYST Pharmaceuticals Corp. (NASDAQ: NCST; TSX: NCS) presented results of a preclinical study entitled "Effects of Nanocrystalline Silver, NPI 32101, in a Rat Model of Ulcerative Colitis" on Sunday, October 22nd during the 71st American College of Gastroenterology annual scientific meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The study, presented by Kailash Bhol, PhD of NUCRYST, demonstrated that both intracolonic and oral administration of NUCRYST's proprietary nanocrystalline silver, known as NPI 32101, significantly reduced ulceration and other characteristic signs of colonic inflammation both by clinical observation and histopathology.
This decrease in inflammation was accompanied by significant suppression of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-12, key cytokines, as well as MMP-9, a matrix metalloproteinase, that are known to play critical roles in the disease process. The intracolonic method of administration was considerably more potent than orally administered NPI 32101.
"These results are encouraging, and if further testing continues to demonstrate efficacy in ulcerative colitis, an NPI 32101-based product could offer an alternative to the standard therapies currently used to treat inflammatory bowel conditions," said Paul J. Schechter, MD, PhD, Vice President, Drug Development and Regulatory Affairs & Chief Medical Officer of NUCRYST Pharmaceuticals. "We will continue with our research in this area."
About NUCRYST
NUCRYST Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: NCST; TSX: NCS) develops, manufactures and commercializes medical products that fight infection and inflammation using its patented atomically disordered nanocrystalline silver technology. Smith & Nephew plc sell a range of advanced wound care products under their Acticoat(TM) trade mark: Acticoat(TM) products incorporate NUCRYST's SILCRYST(TM) coatings and are sold in over 30 countries. NUCRYST is also developing pharmaceutical products to address medical conditions that are characterized by both infection and inflammation. The company has developed its proprietary nanocrystalline silver in a powder form for use as an active pharmaceutical ingredient, referred to as NPI 32101.
Acticoat(TM) is a trademark of Smith & Nephew plc
SILCRYST(TM) is a trademark of NUCRYST Pharmaceuticals Corp.
Some of the statements above may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of securities legislation in the United States and Canada. In particular, statements regarding the Company's belief as to the potential of its products and the medical conditions that might be addressed by present or future NUCRYST products may be forward-looking statements for purposes of the U.S. and Canada securities laws or otherwise. These statements are based on current expectations that are subject to risks and uncertainties outside of the control of NUCRYST, and NUCRYST can give no assurance that these expectations are correct. Various factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in such statements, including but not limited to: the availability of funds and resources to pursue research and development projects, the ability to economically manufacture its products, the success and timely completion of clinical studies and trials, the Company's ability to successfully commercialize its products, the risk that the commercialization of an approved new product could fail due to various causes, including unexpected side effects of the product that were not discovered during the clinical trial; the ability of the Company to defend its patents from infringement by third parties; and numerous other factors described under "Risk Factors" in the company's filings with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission and Canadian securities authorities. NUCRYST disclaims any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.
