Inyx's Exaeris, Inc. Co-launches MD Turbo(TM) in the United States
June 20 2006 - 11:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
Device Intended to Help Make Asthma Inhalers Easier to Coordinate
and More Accurately Track Doses EXTON, Pa., June 20
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Exaeris, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary
of Inyx, Inc. (OTC:IYXI) (BULLETIN BOARD: IYXI) , announced today
that it has initiated its commercial launch to physicians in the
United States of MD Turbo(TM), which is now available by
prescription. With the successful retail stocking of MD Turbo just
completed, the focus commenced today on the direct selling to key
respiratory prescribers within allergy, pulmonology, pediatrics and
primary care physicians. "Our focus will be on educating
physicians, nurses and other allied health professionals on the
easy use of MD Turbo to enable patients to realize the true
benefits of the product. MD Turbo increases the user-friendliness
of metered dose inhalers, which are the primary means for
delivering medication for the treatment of asthma and chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease," said Stephen Beckman, President of
Exaeris. MD Turbo enables 90% the metered dose inhalers (MDIs) used
today to trigger their delivery through breath-activation, helping
ensure the labeled dose is delivered at the appropriate time. MD
Turbo also contains an electronic dose counter to help patients
improve medication compliance by tracking the number of doses
remaining before a refill is required. The combination of these two
key features -- breath activation and dose counting -- addresses
two of the biggest challenges in MDI use. There are more than 40
million MDI prescriptions written annually in the United States for
the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD). Inhalers deliver the drug directly into the lungs, but the
currently available products rely upon a patient's precise
coordination of inhaler activation and inhalation. Studies have
shown that over 50% of patients incorrectly time the release of
medication from these traditional inhalers.(1,2,3) In addition, the
Allergy and Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA) conducted
a study in 2003 with 500 families to determine whether patients
tracked doses correctly. Less than 25% of those surveyed said they
could identify the number of doses remaining. Another 25% said they
had found their inhalers empty when needed, resulting in
hospitalization for these patients 8% of the time.(4) MD Turbo's
breath activation and electronic dose counting are intended to make
the use of MDIs easier, more accurate and more cost effective for
asthma and COPD patients, Mr. Beckman pointed out. Exaeris is
marketing the MD Turbo in the United States along with Teamm
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the specialty pharmaceutical division of
Accentia Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ABPI). The co-promotion
agreement between Exaeris and Teamm was announced on April 12,
2006. "We joined Teamm to bring MD Turbo to the market as we
believe it provides a real solution to a defined set of needs in
the marketplace. MD Turbo is a novel, easy approach to enhancing
the use of MDIs for all patients by enhancing a patient's
confidence in managing his or her disease effectively," added
Exaeris President Beckman. About MD Turbo More than 37 million
patients in the United States suffer from asthma or chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease. Most of those patients rely on
traditional metered dose inhalers for delivery of medications to
treat their disease. Inhalation therapy is considered the gold
standard for delivery of medication for respiratory diseases as it
provides for delivery of medication directly into the lungs for
maximum effect and quickest onset of action, and avoids or
minimizes undesirable side effects associated with systemic
absorption. Proper use of MDIs requires patients to coordinate
activation of the device with the inhalation of the medication.
Published studies have demonstrated that regardless of age or
experience using an MDI, over 50% of patients cannot coordinate the
press-and-breathe action required for MDIs use. As a result of poor
technique, the patient may not receive the intended dose of
medication and therefore have less control of his or her disease.
Using breath-activation has been proven to nearly triple the amount
of drug deposited to the lung.(1,2,3) MD Turbo is the first product
that converts the traditional MDI into a breath-activated device,
and accommodates 90% of the inhalers currently prescribed to
asthmatics or patients suffering from COPD. MD Turbo is designed to
provide improved drug delivery to the lungs for patients using MDIs
by minimizing the problems associated with incorrect inhalation
technique. The MDI is inserted into MD Turbo and the patient places
his or her mouth around the mouthpiece and inhales slowly to
actuate the MDI. Alternatively, the patient can trigger MD Turbo by
depressing a recessed button on the back of the device. A second
feature incorporated into MD Turbo is a dose counter that
automatically counts down the doses each time the inhaler is
activated. When the counter reaches 20 or fewer doses, the number
display will start to flash to alert the patient or caregiver that
the canister is approaching empty. Since many of the MDIs are used
in an asthma attack or crisis, this feature was designed to help
avoid a medical emergency caused by an empty canister. For more
information, visit http://www.mdturbo.com/. About Exaeris Exaeris
is a wholly owned subsidiary of Inyx, Inc., located in Exton, PA.
Exaeris is the commercial arm of Inyx and markets a range of
respiratory products acquired through key strategic partnerships
and internal development. About Inyx Inyx is a specialty
pharmaceutical company with niche drug delivery technologies and
products for the treatment of respiratory, allergy, dermatological,
topical and cardiovascular conditions. Inyx focuses its expertise
on both prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceutical products,
and provides specialty pharmaceutical development and production
consulting services. In addition, Inyx is developing its own
proprietary products to be marketed by Exaeris and strategic
partners. The company's operations are conducted through several
other wholly owned subsidiaries, including: Inyx USA, Ltd., based
in Manati, Puerto Rico; Inyx Pharma Ltd. and Inyx Europe Limited,
which owns and operates Ashton Pharmaceuticals Ltd., all near
Manchester, England; and Inyx Canada, Inc. in Toronto. Inyx, Inc.'s
corporate offices are in New York City. For more information,
please visit: http://www.inyxgroup.com/. About Accentia
Biopharmaceuticals Accentia Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. is a
biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and
commercialization of late-stage clinical products in the
therapeutic areas of respiratory disease and oncology. In addition,
Accentia's growing specialty pharmaceutical business, Teamm
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has a portfolio of currently marketed
products plus a pipeline of additional products under development
by third parties. For further information, please visit:
http://www.accentia.net/. Safe Harbor Statements about the Inyx's
future expectations, including future revenues and earnings, and
all other statements in this press release other than historical
facts, are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and as that term is defined in the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Inyx intends that
such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors
created thereby. Since these statements involve risks and
uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, Inyx's actual
results could differ materially from expected results. (1) Pederson
S, Frost L, Arnfred T. Errors in inhalation technique and
efficiency in inhaler use in asthmatic children. Allergy. 1986;46:
118-124. (2) Crompton GK. Problems patients have using pressurized
aerosol inhalers. Eur J Respir Dis. 1982;63(suppl 119):101-104. (3)
Chapman KR, Love L, Brubaker H. A comparison of breath-actuated and
conventional metered-dose inhaler inhalation techniques in elderly
subjects. Chest.1993;104(5):1332-1336. (4) Sander N, Fusco-Walker
SJ, Chipps B. MDIs:can you count on them? Poster presented at the
61st Annual Meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma
& Immunology; November 7-12,2003; New Orleans, LA. For more
information, please contact: Exaeris, Inc. Stephen Beckman
484-879-2272 Inyx, Inc. Jay M. Green, Executive Vice President
212-838-1111 Bill Kelly, Vice President of Investor Relations
212-838-1111 DATASOURCE: Exaeris, Inc. CONTACT: Stephen Beckman of
Exaeris, Inc., +1-484-879-2272, ; or Jay M. Green, Executive Vice
President, , or Bill Kelly, Vice President of Investor Relations, ,
both of Inyx, Inc., +1-212-838-1111 Web site:
http://www.mdturbo.com/ http://www.inyxinc.com/
http://www.accentia.net/
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