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Aridol is indicated for measuring airway hyperresponsiveness and has beenapproved in 14 European countries under the mutual recognition procedure (MRP).The necessary national approvals that follow the MRP have now been receivedfor Denmark, Germany, Ireland, The Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, and theUnited Kingdom.
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In Germany a total of 660,000 lung function tests are conducted annually,of which approximately 90% are conducted by office-based physicians and theremainder in the major hospitals. To enter the market, Pharmaxis will firstnegotiate with insurance companies that cover the office-based physicianmarket before launching with a local distributor.
A simple-to-use airways inflammation test, Aridol is a dry powderadministered to patients' lungs via a small hand-held inhaler. Doctors can usethe results of this test to identify airway hyperresponsiveness -- a hallmarkof asthma. Medications can be adjusted according to the severity of thedisease. (see overleaf for more details on Aridol)
"We are pleased that Aridol is becoming globally recognised as a usefultest for identifying airway hyperresponsiveness," said Pharmaxis CEO Dr AlanRobertson. "With this latest approval, Aridol is on the way to becoming theworldwide standard for detecting sensitive airways in people with conditionssuch as asthma.
"The Aridol test provides objective information on airwayhyperresponsiveness and assists in the diagnosis and assessment of severity ofasthma and how much medication should be used."
As well as being included as one of the tests recommended by theInternational Olympic Committee -- Medical Commission Independent Panel andthe World Anti-Doping Agency, Aridol is also included in the GINA Report ofGlobal Strategy for Asthma Management and Prevention, the US Asthma ManagementGuidelines, the British Guideline on the Management of Asthma and theAustralian Asthma Management Handbook. To find out more about Pharmaxis go tohttp://www.pharmaxis.com.au .
About Aridol
Aridol is the first and only approved Europe-wide lung function test andthe world's first approved indirect challenge test for asthma. The Aridol lungfunction test, developed by Australian researchers and Pharmaxis, helpsdoctors more accurately determine the severity of a patient's airwaysinflammation -- a hallmark of asthma -- and allow prescription of the rightamount of medication. The simple 15-25 minute test uses powdered mannitol,which the patient inhales in increasing doses. In asthmatic patients, thiscauses the airways to narrow and contract, which is detected by measuring theamount of air a person can exhale in one second. The smaller the dose requiredto cause contraction, the more severe the patient's asthma. People withoutairway inflammation do not respond to an Aridol challenge test. Asthma affects52 million people worldwide, many of whom may be receiving inappropriatemedication because of the absence of an objective test -- until now. Clinicaltrial results suggest that 25% of asthmatic patients are being treated withsub-optimal dosages of asthma medication, and up to 17% could reduce theirmedication without adverse effects.
Forward-Looking Statements
The statements contained in this media release that are not purelyhistorical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E ofthe Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements inthis media release include statements regarding our expectations, beliefs,hopes, goals, intentions, initiatives or strategies, including statementsregarding the potential for Aridol and/or Bronchitol. All forward-lookingstatements included in this media release are based upon informati
