Mpex Pharmaceuticals Inc, San Diego Calif, will conduct clinical trial with MP-376 in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). MP-376 is a proprietary aerosolized version of levofloxacin that is being developed to treat chronic lung infections due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa in CF patients.

"Based on our work to date, we believe MP-376 has the potential to provide doctors and patients with a convenient, powerful and well-tolerated new treatment option that addresses key pathogens in CF and minimizes the potential for drug resistance,” stated Michael Dudley, MD, PhD, senior vice president of research and development for Mpex.

Preclinical and early clinical studies indicate that active levofloxacin concentrations in pulmonary tissues after MP-376 administration are markedly increased compared to those achieved when the antibiotic is delivered by other routes of administration.

The trial is being conducted under an open Investigational New Drug Application that has been filed with the FDA.