PSG Phosphagen.

RNS Number:8332M
Phosphagenics Limited
30 January 2008



30 January 2008



Company Announcement


Phosphagenics reports superior pre-clinical cholesterol results from APA-01 and
                            atorvastatin combination


Phosphagenics Limited ("Phosphagenics") (ASX:POH, AIM:PSG, OTCQX:PPGNY) today
announced results of a pre-clinical study demonstrating that the combination of
its APA-01 product candidate and the statin atorvastatin (LipitorTM)
significantly reduced serum lipids and inflammatory proteins involved in the
development of atherosclerosis.


Study Design

The purpose of the study was to determine whether a combination of the statin
drug atorvastatin and APA-01 could reduce serum lipids, inhibit atherosclerotic
lesion progression and reduce proinflammatory cytokines and other biomarkers of
inflammatory disease more effectively than the statin alone.


Studies were performed in ApoE mice, animals that spontaneously form
atherosclerotic plaques and represent a well-established model of human
atherogenic hyperchosterolemia.


During the first 16-weeks of this 24-week study, all animals in the experimental
group were maintained on a standard diet, followed by an eight week treatment
period in which this diet was supplemented with 21 percent fat and 0.15 percent
cholesterol, an atherogenic diet expected to accelerate atherosclerotic
progression. All animals in the experimental groups received drug treatment in
both their normal and high-fat diets at various dosing regiments throughout the
24-week study. Control group animals received no drug treatment and were
maintained on either the same diet as the treatment groups or on a standard
diet.



Study Results

Effects on Serum Lipids

The study results indicated that among the animals treated with the APA-01 and
atorvastatin combination, total cholesterol levels fell by up to an additional
12% compared to those animals treated with atorvastatin alone. Total HDL-C (good
cholesterol) levels increased by up to 37% in combination drug-treated animals,
while LDL-C (bad cholesterol) levels were further reduced by up to 24% with the
combination, as opposed to atorvastatin alone. The combination also caused a
decrease of 92% in triglycerides levels compared to 72% with atorvastatin alone.


Effects on Biomarkers of Inflammation

APA-01, combined with atorvastatin, enhanced the statin's effects on lowering
inflammation that contributes to the development of atherosclerotic plaques.
Reductions occurred in final plasma levels of 23 cytokines that were measured.
Following 24 weeks of treatment with various doses of APA-01 and atorvastatin a
statistically significant reduction occurred in a number of cytokines including
IL-1 beta, IL-10, G-CSF, GM-CSF, IFN-y,MCP-1, and RANTES compared to
control and these decreases were greater than with either compound alone and
appeared to be somewhat dose-dependent.


Effects on Atherosclerotic Plaque progression

Atherosclerotic lesions were significantly elevated following incorporation of
the high-fat high-cholesterol diet in all animals compared to animals maintained
on the regular, rodent diet for the 24-week study period. The effect of the
combination treatment of APA-01 combined with atorvastatin appeared to cause a
trend toward decreased aortic lesions, but these were not statistically
significant.


Commenting on the study results, Dr Esra Ogru, Executive Vice President of
Research and Development at Phosphagenics, said, "Current therapies for
atherosclerosis focus on drugs that lower serum cholesterol levels. Experimental
and clinical evidence suggests that the efficacy of these drugs may also be
related to their ability to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the
endothelium, or blood vessel lining, where atherosclerotic plaques develop. We
believe that APA-01's apparent enhancement of a statin's anti-inflammatory
functions could potentially provide a novel therapeutic approach to treating
atherosclerosis."


Atorvastatin is the world's largest selling drug with sales of US$13.6 billion
annually and is the major contributor to the US$35.2 billion market for statin
drugs globally.


"In particular there is an unmet need for a more effective treatment for
elevated triglycerides and APA-01 has demonstrated efficacy in this area in this
preclinical study.


"We are now assessing the impact of these results before determining our future
strategy. However, the insulin, oxycodone and Phospha E(R) clinical programs
will remain our priority for this year," Dr Ogru said.




ENDS....




APPENDIX AND NOTES TO EDITORS



About Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis, or the build-up of fatty deposits (plaques) on interior blood
vessel walls, is a progressive process initially involving endothelial
dysfunction and accumulation of lipids on the linings of blood vessel.
Atherosclerotic lesions develop as a result of inflammatory stimuli, subsequent
release of various cytokines, proliferation of smooth muscle cells, synthesis of
connective tissue matrix, and accumulation of macrophages and lipids.
Atherosclerosis is involved in the development of coronary heart disease,
myocardial infarction, and stroke, among other diseases.


About Phosphagenics Limited

Phosphagenics is a Melbourne-based, globally driven biotechnology company
focused on the discovery of new and cost effective ways to enhance the
bioavailability, activity, safety and delivery of proven pharmaceutical and
nutraceutical products.


Phosphagenics' core technology is built around the science and application of
phosphorylation, a process where the addition of a phosphate group has been
found to enhance the bioavailability, activity and safety of existing
pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals, as well as to assist in the production of
drug delivery platforms.


Phosphagenics' shares are listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (POH) and the
London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market (PSG). An ADR - Level 1
program was established in the U.S. with The Bank of New York Mellon (PPGNY) for
U.S. investors to trade in Phosphagenics' stock on the 'over-the-counter'
market. In July 2007, this was upgraded to the International OTCQX, a new
premium market tier in the U.S. for international exchange-listed companies,
operated by Pink Sheets, LLC.


For more information, please visit Phosphagenics' web site at
www.phosphagenics.com


Company Contact Details:                         US Investor and Media Contacts:
Dr Esra Ogru                                     Mr Brian Ritchie
Phosphagenics Limited                            Financial Dynamics
VP Research & Development                        Tel +1 212 850 5683
Tel +61 3 9605 5900


Ms Mary McSwiggan (Bennett)
Phosphagenics Limited
Investor Relations Manager
Tel +61 3 9605 5907






Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements based on current
expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or
unknown risks or uncertainties materialise, actual results could vary materially
from the Phosphagenics' expectations and projections. Risks and uncertainties
include general industry conditions and competition; economic conditions, such
as interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; technological advances
and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product
development, including obtaining regulatory approvals; domestic and foreign
health care reforms and governmental laws and regulations.




                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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