GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo.,
July 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Ampio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: AMPE) today
announced the initiation of a Phase II clinical trial of Optina™
for the treatment of diabetic macular edema, an early stage of
diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic macular edema is responsible for
most vision loss in patients with diabetes mellitus.
Ampio Pharmaceuticals has completed a formal agreement with
St Michael's Hospital,
Toronto, Canada as a final step
for ethics board approval which is expected in the next few days.
"We are very excited to be commencing this trial and pending
the final approval of the ethics board we will commence patient
recruitment in the next weeks," stated Don
Wingerter, CEO of Ampio Pharmaceuticals. Chief Scientific
Officer, Dr. David Bar-Or added, "After accumulating in vitro and
animal data, it is gratifying to begin treating patients for this
debilitating disease."
Diabetic macular edema and diabetic retinopathy are
complications of diabetes mellitus that occur in approximately one
third of patients 10 years after the onset of diabetes and are
rapidly growing causes of blindness worldwide. There is currently
no effective oral medication to treat diabetic macular edema or
diabetic retinopathy. Optina™ is a repurposed oral drug with an
established human safety profile. Pre-clinical studies have shown
the potential for Optina™ to significantly reduce diabetic macular
edema in patients.
About Ampio Pharmaceuticals
Ampio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. develops innovative proprietary
drugs for metabolic disease, eye disease, kidney disease,
inflammation and CNS disease. The product pipeline includes new
uses for previously approved drugs and new molecular entities
("NMEs"). By concentrating on development of new uses for
previously approved drugs, approval timelines, costs and risk of
clinical failure are reduced because these drugs have strong
potential to be safe and effective while their shorter development
times can significantly increase near-term value. A key strategy
includes actively exploring partnership, licensing and other
collaboration opportunities to maximize Ampio's product development
programs.
Safe Harbor Statement
Certain of the above statements contained in this press release
are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and
uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements are within the
meaning of that term in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933
and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Readers are
cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not
guarantees of future performance and involve risks and
uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from
those indicated in the forward-looking statements as a result of
various factors.
Contact: Redwood Consultants, LLC Tel: +1 415-884-0348
SOURCE Ampio Pharmaceuticals, Inc.