Dutch Biopharmaceutical Company AM-Pharma Strengthens Intellectual Property Position for Lactoferrin Derived Antimicrobial Peptide hLF1-11

Bunnik, The Netherlands (ots/PRNewswire) - AM-Pharma B.V., a
biopharmaceutical company engaged in the pre-clinical and early
clinical development of novel compounds to treat infectious and
inflammatory diseases, announces the issuance of the patent for one
of its lead products, the antimicrobial peptide hLF1-11, by the US
and EU patent offices (US patent 7,060,677 and European patent
1228097). The patents claim the use of the hLF1-11 peptide and its
derivatives, to produce drugs with high efficacy against a broad
spectrum of bacterial, fungal and viral infections.

Among others, AM-Pharma research has been aimed at testing a
variety of human lactoferrin derivatives for their antimicrobial
activity. The first lead compound that emerged from this research,
hLF1-11, consists of the first eleven amino acids of the natural
human lactoferrin. Safety and efficacy of the peptide was
successfully demonstrated in pre-clinical animal models. No toxicity
and no adverse reactions were observed in both single dose and
multiple ascending doses studies. Recent results from Phase I
clinical trials in humans show that hLF1-11 is safe and induced no
signs of toxicity, immune responses or other adverse events that
could be attributed to the peptide.

Based on these findings hLF1-11 is currently evaluated in a Phase
II trial as an effective and safe antibacterial and antifungal
substance for the prevention of severe fungal and bacterial
infections, especially in patient undergoing bone marrow stem cell
transplantations (UMC St Radboud, Nijmegen, The Netherlands). In this
population, incidence rates of severe infections and related
mortality are high. This provides an important indication to
establish early clinical proof-of-principle. AM-Pharma has generated
substantial pre-clinical data to support this indication. Dr. Bruno
Giannetti, President & Chief Executive of AM-Pharma: "The granting of
these patents forms the basis for the development of a novel class
of antibiotics for the treatment of systemic infections." AM-Pharma
is currently validating additional indications for this lead
compound.

AM-Pharma is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company based in
Bunnik, the Netherlands. The company's business is focused on the
preclinical and early clinical development of novel compounds in the
field of severe infectious diseases and their consequences, as well
as inflammatory diseases. AM-Pharma currently employs 22 staff and is
financed by ABN-AMRO Capital Life Sciences and Inventages Venture
Capital.

This release contains forward-looking statements that are not
based on historical facts. These forward-looking statements involve
risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual
results, events or developments to be materially different from those
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers are
cautioned not to place undue reliance

Visit the company's website at www.AM-Pharma.com

ots Originaltext: AM-Pharma B.V.
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
For further information about AM-Pharma, please contact Markwin
Velders (CSO) or Bruno Giannetti (CEO) on +31-30-228-9-222, email
m.velders@am-pharma.com and b.giannetti@am-pharma.com