

(MFAIDs) combine two promising approaches to preventing and reversing inflammation:
- Novel control of the key inflammatory enzyme family Phospholipase A2 and;
- Enrichment of naturally occurring anti-inflammatory components of the cell surface.
PLA2 has long been recognized as a high-value target for anti-inflammatory therapy but despite numerous attempts, no drug has yet to reach the market. Morria's approach is radically different to past attempts and current pharmaceutical indications are promising.
Morria has demonstrated the potential efficacy of MFAIDs in diverse in vitro and in vivo systems applicable to inflammation of the skin, airways, intestines, CNS and Severe Inflammatory Response Syndrome ( SIRS).
A recently published pilot study in contact dermatitis patients yielded promising data, providing a first-in-man efficacy demonstration.
Safety and efficacy clinical studies (Phase I/IIa) in contact dermatitis (topical) are scheduled for the winter of 2008. An allergic rhinitis (nasal) Phase II study (n=105) is currently underway in South Africa.
Morria Product Development
| Name | Field | Status | Clinical trial scheduled |
| MRX-6 | Dermatology | Pre-clinical animal toxicology Human pilot study completed |
2008 (for phase II) |
| MRX-4 | Allergic Rhinitis | Pre-clinical, animal toxicology | Summer 2008(for phases IIa) |
| MRX-5 | IBD | Pre-clinical, screening and formulation | 2008 (for phase I) |
Collaborative R&D programs
| Field | Status |
| Cystic Fibrosis | In vitro complete In vivo underway |
| Ophthalmology (therapeutics) | Compound screening |
| Ophthalmology (contact lenses coating) | Compound screening |
| Cardiovascular stents | Compound screening |
Inflammatory diseases of the skin (Contact Dermatitis)
Skin allergic/inflammatory diseases are a $5bn market dominated by topical corticosteroids. Dermatology is a market characterized by low development costs coupled with low risk of failure. Several topical drugs are selling in excess of $250m a year. Novartis’s Elidel® was predicted to surpass the $1bn mark before concerns regarding toxicity affected its sales.
Respiratory inflammatory diseases: (Allergic Rhinitis, Asthma & COPD)
Respiratory inflammatory/allergic diseases include allergic rhinitis (AR), asthma and COPD. AR has the lowest development costs and a market valued at $9bn. Anti-inflammatory steroids given intranasally to AR patients is also given by inhaler to asthma patients ($12bn market). There are few effective treatments for the inflammatory component of COPD, a disease affecting 600m patients worldwide. Singulair®, the only non-steroidal drug in these markets has annual sales in excess of $2.5bn despite limited efficacy.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis) is a $3bn market characterized by high expenditure per patient ratios and commonly treated by steroids. Apart from being a lucrative market in its own right, IBD is also a recognized stepping stone to other severe chronic inflammatory diseases such as arthritis.
Cystic Fibrosis
CF is an “orphan” disease and as such can receive market exclusivity for a period of 10 years from the FDA. CF drug sales in the US in 2003 were $300m with only two drugs available, neither one an anti-inflammatory. With 30,000 patients in the US , annual sales for an efficient inhaled drug could potentially reach in excess of $250m.
A scientific collaboration was launched by Morria Biopharmaceuticals with Professor Alice Prince of Columbia University to evaluate promising MFAID candidates for treatment of cystic fibrosis. The study was sponsored by a grant from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of America (CFF). Data clearly showed efficacy in CF cells and promising indications in animal models. An accelerated pre-clinical development plan aimed at submitting an IND with the FDA is being prepared.