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CEO Comments on Diagnostic Breakthrough for Pulmonary Fibrosis

Thursday, 13 November 2014 08:31 AM

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VANCOUVER, BC, Canada / ACCESSWIRE / November 13, 2014 / Pacific Therapeutics Ltd. (CSE: PT) (OTC Markets: PCFTF) (Frankfurt: 1P3) (the "Company") is a clinical stage specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the repurposing and reformulation of existing FDA approved drugs for large markets. The Company's lead programs focus on diseases of excessive scarring (fibrosis) and erectile dysfunction which are $4 billion plus market opportunities.

Researchers recently published a new study entitled "Familial and sporadic idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: making the diagnosis from peripheral blood." in the October issue of BMC Genomics. They report that the diagnosis of sporadic idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is possible from peripheral blood samples by identifying a functional genetic signature. The new findings could make it quicker and easier to render a sporadic idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis diagnosis.

Access the article here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25318837

Pacific Therapeutics CEO and President Doug Unwin states "diagnosis of IPF frequently requires a battery of invasive tests including biopsies and CT Scans. Additionally, the diagnosis usually needs to be confirmed by a team of doctors with varied specialties. Being able to improve and speed the diagnoses of IPF with a simple blood test would be a welcome event for patients, physicians and researchers alike".

Pacific Therapeutics Ltd. lead drug candidate for fibrosis (progressive scarring of the organ), PTL-202 is a combination of an FDA approved drug and an extremely potent and important antioxidant. The Company has confirmed the anti-fibrotic activity of PTL-202 in several preclinical studies and has completed a phase 1 clinical trial of the combination with positive results.

There are 200,000 sufferers of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) in the United States and Europe of which 48,000 new cases are diagnosed each year (IPF Coalition, 2014). An aging population combined with improved diagnostics will increase the diagnosed population by 40% to 146,000 by 2015 in the USA where 40,000 patients die of IPF annually. The primary sufferers of pulmonary fibrosis are baby boomers between 50-70 years of age. Decision Resources Group estimates the market size for IPF therapies in Europe and the United States at $4.6 billion by 2020.

Fibrosis treatments have become a target for large pharmaceutical companies as demonstrated by Bristol-Myers Squibb deal to option an early-stage program for IPF, for up to $444 million in upfront payments and milestones.

"It's estimated that 45 % of all deaths are related to fibrotic changes" World Health Organization Feb, 2008.

ABOUT PACIFIC THERAPEUTICS LTD.

The Company's strategy includes reformulating approved drugs to increase efficacy and patient compliance, while reducing side effects, as well as completing the further clinical testing, manufacturing and other regulatory requirements sufficient to seek marketing authorizations. This strategy may reduce the risk, time and cost of developing therapies by avoiding the risks associated with basic research and using compounds with unknown safety and toxicity profiles.

In 2012 the total market for drugs to treat erectile dysfunction ("ED") exceeded $4.3 billion (Oct 2013, Transparency Market Research). Pacific Therapeutics Ltd. is developing an oral dissolving technology ("sublingual formulation") of an approved drug to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). The sublingual formulation may improve on existing drugs for erectile dysfunction potentially acting faster and with fewer side effects. As large pharmaceutical companies lose their patents on these drugs the opportunity has developed for innovative formulations of drugs for ED.

For further information visit our website at www.pacifictherapeutics.com or email us at [email protected]

Douglas H. Unwin, CEO & President

(604) 738-1049

[email protected]

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements included in this press release constitute forward-looking information or statements (collectively, "forward-looking statements"), including those identified by the expressions "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "may", "should" and similar expressions to the extent they relate to the Company or its management. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts but reflect current expectations regarding future results or events. This press release contains forward looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and various estimates, factors and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors.

Readers should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements, as the Company's actual results, performance or achievements may differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements if known or unknown risks, uncertainties or other factors affect the Company's business, or if the Company's estimates or assumptions prove inaccurate. Therefore, the Company cannot provide any assurance that such forward-looking statements will materialize. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except as, and to the extent required by, applicable securities laws. 

SOURCE: Pacific Therapeutics Ltd.   

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