Aerocrine Announces Presentation of Data on FeNO testing in Overlap Syndrome at ATS 2013

FeNO testing helps physicians identify the magnitude and extent of allergic airway inflammation in patients with COPD and asthma. Data provides important implications for management of COPD patients with Overlap Syndrome

SOLNA, Sweden, Morrisville, North Carolina– 20 May, 2013 - Aerocrine AB (OMX Nordic Exchange: AERO) ---Aerocrine today announced the following  scientific abstract, Characterization of Allergic Airway Inflammation in Patients with COPD using Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide Level (FeNO) s, presented at the 2013 American Thoracic Society International Conference. The abstract was presented by Dr. James F. Donohue, principle investigator for the study at (American Thoracic Society meeting in Philadelphia) on (Sunday May 19, 2013).

Asthma can coexist with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), particularly in older adults, a condition labeled overlap syndrome. While airway inflammation in COPD is largely neutrophilic, some patients with COPD may have features of asthma and thus may also have a component of allergic airway inflammation

The single-visit, outpatient study was conducted in 97 subjects age 40 and older with COPD or overlap syndrome. All subjects performed spirometry and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) measurements were taken with Aerocrine’s NIOXMINO® device. COPD severity was classified according to guidelines from the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD).

Conclusions of the study were as follows:

• Increases in FeNO do occur in patients with COPD. In addition, approximately 11% of patients demonstrated increases in FeNO to intermediate or high levels.
• FeNO is useful for identifying patients with allergic airway inflammation who will have a beneficial response to treatment with an inhaled corticosteroid. The resulting data may have important implications for the management of COPD patients who may have Overlap Syndrome.

“Fractional exhaled nitric oxide is proving to be a valuable biomarker,” says Scott Myers, president and CEO of Aerocrine AB. “Pulmonologists are learning how they can help direct treatment for asthma patients, but with this additional clinical research we are demonstrating that because of overlap disease it can also help for care of their patients with COPD who may have an asthma component (Overlap Syndrome).

For more information please contact:

Dr Kathy Rickard, Chief Medical Officer Aerocrine, tel : +1 919 749 6708

About Aerocrine

Aerocrine is a medical products company focused on improved management and care of patients with inflammatory airway diseases such as Asthma. Aerocrine is a leader in this sector. Aerocrine markets NIOX® MINO®, which enables fast and reliable point-of-care measurement of airway inflammation. This product plays a critical role in more effective diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients affected with inflammatory airway diseases. Aerocrine is based in Sweden with subsidiaries in the US, Germany, Switzerland and the UK. Aerocrine shares have been listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange since 2007 (AERO-B.ST). For more information please visit www.aerocrine.com and www.niox.com.