Morria Bio initiates Ph II MRX-4 trial

Morria Biopharmaceuticals, a UK company focused on the development of novel anti-inflammatory drugs, has initiated a Phase II equivalent study of MRX-4, in a nasal aerosol formulation, in 105 patients suffering from allergic rhinitis. The two-arm, randomized, multi-dose, double-blind, placebo-controlled study includes Rhinocort (budesonide) as the steroid comparator arm. The study is expected to be completed by the end of the third quarter of 2008.

The study is designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of intranasal MRX-4 in AR patients outside of the local allergy season as compared with both placebo and an intranasal steroid. An experimental multi-functional anti-inflammatory drug, MRX-4 is a non-steroidal potential treatment for AR that has generated promising preclinical efficacy data. In a Phase I equivalent trial completed in Israel earlier this year, it was shown to be well tolerated with no significant adverse effects.