A study by scientists from the UK Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) showed that a single dose of Aradigm’s Lipoquin liposomal ciprofloxacin administered through the nose fully protected mice exposed to an aerosolized “lethal dose” of Yersinia pestis. Inhaled aerosolized Lipoquin provided 70% protection, while untreated mice and those given a single dose of oral ciprofloxacin died within a few days. All doses were administered 24 hours post-exposure.
Previous studies, according to the company, have demonstrated the efficacy of Lipoquin for the prevention of tularemia and Q fever in mouse models.
Aradigm President and CEO Igor Gonda commented, “We are very excited to see that our inhaled liposomal ciprofloxacin has been found to show very promising efficacy against three possible bioterrorism agents, making it potentially a useful broad-spectrum prophylaxis and treatment against such infections. We continue to seek opportunities for additional funding for this type of work via collaborations with government agencies with the view that our liposomal ciprofloxacin may be approved under FDA and similar overseas regulations relating to new drugs or biologics for potentially fatal diseases where human studies cannot be conducted ethically or practically.”
Read the Aradigm press release.
