Pharmaxis lung function test recommended for approval in Australia

By Lisa Kerner

Erie, Pa., Feb. 13 - Pharmaxis Ltd. announced Monday that the Australian Drug Evaluation Committee has recommended to the Therapeutic Goods Administration that its first product, Aridol, a lung function test, be registered for sale in Australia.

Aridol is designed to identify patients with active airway inflammation, found in conditions such as asthma. It also helps determine disease severity and treatment effectiveness, according to a company news release.

The 15-minute test uses a patented formulation of mannitol manufactured into a respirable dry powder. Patients inhale increasing doses of Aridol, causing the airways to narrow and contract. The changes in the airways are detected by measuring the amount of air the patients can exhale.

The company said there is no registered, objective test in Australia to confirm the presence or absence of lung inflammation.

"The positive opinion on Aridol from ADEC is great news for people living with asthma," Alan Robertson, Pharmaxis chief executive officer, said in the release.

"Aridol will soon be available to physicians and respiratory labs treating patients with asthma, and it holds out the prospect for better disease outcomes."

Pharmaxis, base in Sydney, Australia, develops and commercializes therapeutic products for chronic respiratory and autoimmune diseases.

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