- Files
New Patent Application for SP-6300 Making Use of SP-01A's
Phase II Study Data
- Drug
SP-01A (HIV), SP-6300 (Cushing's) Demonstrates a Statistically
Significant Ability to Normalize High Cortisol in Humans
- High
Cortisol Cushing's is Caused by a Long-Term Use of Corticosteroid
Medications (Normally Administered to Lupus, Asthma, and
Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients)
 Samaritan
Pharmaceuticals Inc. (OTC BB:SPHC.OB) a developer of innovative
drugs, announced today its drug candidate SP-6300 has shown
the ability to modulate excessive cortisol levels by lowering
the hormone-stimulated corticosteroid formation in adrenal
cells, and as a result could be a potentially new treatment
for Cushing's Syndrome.
Cushing's Syndrome
is a disorder of the adrenal glands leading to excess cortisol
secretion. This means that there is too much cortisol hormone
in the blood. Cushing's Syndrome is a hormonal disorder caused
by prolonged exposure of the body's tissues to high levels
of the hormone cortisol. It is sometimes called "hypercortisolism,''
and an estimated 10 to 15 of every million people are affected
each year.
Long-term (chronic)
use of corticosteroid medications, for the treatment of conditions
such as lupus, asthma, and rheumatoid arthritis, is the most
common cause of Cushing's Syndrome. Patients who develop Cushing's
exhibit a variety of symptoms including weight gain, fatigue,
muscle weakness, diabetes, high blood pressure, depression,
and osteoporosis. If left untreated, Cushing's Syndrome can
lead to death.
Dr. Greeson, CEO
of Samaritan Pharmaceuticals stated, "There is an urgent
need to develop new therapeutic agents, with a new and different
mechanism of action, for Cushing's. It is commonly held that
the cause of Cushing's is related to patients taking too much
corticosteroid medications. We believe the addition of SP-6300
to normally prescribed medications might allow doctors to
prescribe smaller doses of corticosteroid medications; to
possibly decrease corticosteroid side effects, and increase
their efficacy, at the same time."
***
Samaritan Pharmaceuticals:
``We LIV...to Save Lives.''
Samaritan is a
small-cap Biotech, driven to discover, develop and commercialize
innovative therapeutics for AIDS, Alzheimer's, Cancer and
Heart disease patients. Look at http://www.samaritanpharma.com.
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***
The company disclaims
any information that is created by an outside party and endorses
only information that is communicated by its press releases,
filings and Website. This news release contains forward-looking
statements that reflect management's current beliefs about
the potential for its drug candidates, science and technology.
However, as with any biopharmaceutical under development,
there are significant risks and uncertainties in the process
of development and regulatory review. There are no guarantees
that products will prove to be commercially successful. For
additional information about the factors that affect the company's
business, please read the company's latest Form 10-K/A filed
November 2, 2006. The company undertakes no duty to update
forward-looking statements.
Contact:
The Investor Relations Group
Investor Relations:
Adam Holdsworth
Erica Ruderman
Rachel Colgate
212-825-3210
Samaritan
Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Kristi Eads
702-735-7001
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