Sound Pharmaceuticals presents data on Chemoprotection Technology at the 27th annual meeting of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology.

SEATTLE, WA February 24th, 2004

Pre-clinical findings for prevention of cisplatin induced hearing loss and kidney toxicity using a combined formulation of two small molecules were presented at the 27th annual meeting of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology by Dr. Eric Lynch, Vice-President and Director of Research. SPI’s data were presented in a podium session on the prevention and treatment of ototoxicity that was co-chaired by Dr. Lynch. Data reported from acute and chronic cisplatin dosing studies indicate that the treatment is well tolerated and effective using orally delivered chemoprotectants. An important finding from two different tumor model studies indicates that the treatment does not interfere with cisplatin’s antitumor activity against either breast or ovarian cancer.

“These data support SPI’s hypothesis that by stimulating two separate biochemical pathways, we are able to achieve better chemoprotection than with either agent alone. This allows SPI to achieve chemoprotective efficacy without toxicity. In addition, protected animals had improved multi-organ function and morbidity and mortality rates,” stated Dr. Lynch.

Ototoxicity from platinum based treatment results, at least in part, from the damage produced by an excess of reactive oxygen species in the inner ear. SPI-3005 is a potent small molecule mimic of the enzyme Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx). GPx is a key enzyme in the neutralization of reactive oxygen species that form in the cochlea from ototoxic insult. SPI-3006 is a Xanthine Oxidase inhibitor indicated for use in hyperuricemic patients. By mimicking the activity of GPx with SPI-3005, while simultaneously inhibiting the activity of Xanthine Oxidase with SPI-3006, researchers at SPI have been able to protect the hearing and kidney function of animals treated with cisplatin.

Prevention of drug induced hearing loss is the second platform to achieve pre-clinical efficacy for the SPI drug development group. Sound Pharmaceuticals is in the process of extending these findings to additional models such as head and neck cancers. The goal is to file an Investigational New Drug application with the FDA to allow clinical studies of SPI’s chemoprotectants for the prevention of hearing loss and other toxicities in cancer chemotherapy patients receiving cisplatin.

Sound Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a drug development company focused on treating hearing loss. To date, Sound Pharmaceuticals’ drug discovery program has identified targets for the prevention of hearing loss and for the improvement of hearing in individuals with hearing loss. For more information please visit http://www.soundpharmaceuticals.com.

CONTACT: Dr. Jonathan Kil, President & CEO, Sound Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 4010 Stone Way N Suite 120, Seattle WA 98103, jkil@soundpharmaceuticals.com, 206-634-2559.