Biohit Oyj to start a clinical intervention trial with Acetium® lozenge aimed at smoking cessation
Biohit Oyj Press Release November 29, 2013 at 9 a.m. local time (EET)
Finnish healthcare company Biohit Oyj is to start a clinical intervention trial with Acetium® lozenge aimed at smoking cessation. The aim of the study is to assess the effectiveness of Acetium® lozenge in this new indication i.e. to reduce nicotine dependence, and help with smoking cessation and/or reduction.
Acetaldehyde is the most important carcinogen in cigarette smoke (1,2) and acetaldehyde is known to increase the addiction inducing effect of nicotine (3). Previously it has been reported that Acetium® lozenge binds acetaldehyde that dissolves in saliva during smoking and makes it harmless (4). In addition, Acetium® lozenge contains xylitol which is known for promoting oral hygiene and being beneficial for tooth health. Acetium ® lozenge is an over-the-counter product sold by Finnish pharmacies.
A cohort of 500 current smokers who are motivated to quit are asked to participate in the study. The study will be conducted as a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trial where half of the subjects will receive the active compound and the other half will receive a placebo. The trial will be conducted in Helsinki, Finland.
CEO Semi Korpela, Biohit Oyj: “Biohit recommends quitting smoking because of its health hazards. Voluntary enrollment in the clinical intervention trial will start immediately at http://www.biohithealthcare.com/fi/tutkimus/ilmoittautuminen-tutkimukseen” (in Finnish).
The principal investigator is the Chief Medical Director of Biohit Oyj, MD, PhD, Professor Kari Syrjänen. The research coordinator M.Sc. Johanna Salminen is responsible for the practical conduct of the trial.
Attachment: Announcement of the Study (in Finnish)
Sources:
(1) Haussmann H-J 2012 Use of hazard indices for a theoretical evaluation of cigarette smoke composition. Chem Res Toxicol 2012;25:794-810.
(2) Burns DM et al 2008 Mandated lowering of toxicants in cigarette smoke: a description of the World Health Organization TobReg proposal. Tob Control 2008;17:132-41.
(3) Talhout et al 2008 Role of acetaldehyde in tobacco smoke addiction. European Neuropsychopharmacol 2008;17:627-36.
(4) Salaspuro VJ et al 2006 Eliminating carcinogenic acetaldehyde by cysteine from saliva during smoking. Cancer Epid Biomark Prev 2006;15:146-9.
Additional information:
Chief Medical Director of Biohit Oyj, MD, PhD, Professor Kari Syrjänen
kari.syrjanen@biohit.fi
CEO Semi Korpela, Biohit Oyj
Tel. +358 9 773 861
investor.relations@biohit.fi
www.biohithealthcare.com
Biohit in brief
Biohit Oyj is a globally operating Finnish biotechnology company established in 1988. Biohit's mission is "Innovating for Health". The purpose of the company is to take social responsibility and produce innovation, new technologies and analysis systems for use in medicine, research institutions and industry, helping to promote research and diagnostics and to improve the quality of life of people by means of preventing disease, human suffering and financial loss. We are committed to social responsibility and it is our duty to spread knowledge about the Group I human carcinogen, acetaldehyde, and innovate and develop the marketing and availability of our products and services. Biohit is headquartered in Helsinki, Finland and its subsidiaries are located in Italy and the United Kingdom. Since 1999, Biohit's Series B shares (BIOBV) have been listed in the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Oy Small cap/Healthcare sector. www.biohithealthcare.com