Glucosamine may provide relief to patients suffering from Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Lysaker, Norway, December 6, 2005. In a scientific article, published in the acknowledged Journal of Immunology on December 1, 2005 the researchers investigated the therapeutic effect of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of MS. It was demonstrated that oral or intravenous administration of glucosamine significantly reduced acute EAE, with reduced inflammation of the Central Nervous System (CNS).
More than 300.000 patients in the USA, and 300.000 patients in the 5 largest European countries, suffer from MS. Existing MS drugs are given by injections, have unfavorable safety profiles and have a yearly treatment cost in the range of NOK 50-100.000. Should oral glucosamine prove to be effective also in humans, either alone or in combination with other disease-modifying immunotherapies, it could mean a step forward in the management of MS.
"This study indicates a very interesting potential for a new application of glucosamine", says Øyvind Brekke, CEO of Navamedic. "Although clinical trials on humans are required before it can be concluded on clinical effectiveness in MS, these findings suggest the future may bring additional indications for our products."
For further information, please contact:
Øyvind S. Brekke, CEO
E-mail: oyvind.brekke@navamedic.com
Office: +47 67 11 15 17
Mobile: +47 91 19 81 64
Jon W. Ringvold, CFO/IRO
E-mail: jon.ringvold@navamedic.com
Office: +47 67 11 15 38
Mobile: +47 99 15 85 34
About Navamedic ASA:
Navamedic is a Norwegian speciality pharmaceutical company focusing on the development and production of glucosamine HCl based medicines. Glucosamine is a generic active ingredient against osteoarthritis with a favourable safety profile. Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease which affects a large and growing share of the world's population. Navamedic aims to become a leading company in the glucosamine industry by capitalizing on its proprietary production technology. The company's products are sold through a network of strong sales, marketing and distribution partners in each country.
Navamedic product Glucomed® was approved as a medicine against osteoarthritis by the Swedish Medical Products agency in August 2005.