Alliance Pharma Regulatory News (APH)

28 Apr 2006 07:03

Alliance Pharma PLC28 April 2006 For immediate release 28 April 2006 ALLIANCE PHARMA PLC ("Alliance" or "the Company") London symposium on Melatonin Alliance Pharma plc (AIM: APH), the speciality pharmaceutical company, ispleased to announce that it is today sponsoring a symposium at the Royal Societyof Medicine focussed on melatonin, the naturally occurring hormone that controlsthe sleep-wake cycle, and its potential in the treatment of sleep disorders. Alliance Pharma has developed a melatonin-based treatment, Posidorm, for sleepdisorders which is currently undergoing Phase III trials. Today's symposium, titled An Exploration: Melatonin and its Role in Sleep, willinclude a series of presentations by key opinion leaders and scientific andmedical experts on melatonin's medical potential across a wide range of patientpopulations including shiftworkers, the elderly and the blind and also examineits potential to treat jet-lag. The symposium will be chaired by Professor Josephine Arendt, Emeritus Professorof Endocrinology, University of Surrey, and attendees will include neurologists,occupational health specialists, geriatricians and opthalmologists. Key presentations at the symposium include: • Physiology and Pharmacology of Melatonin, Prof Josesphine Arendt • Shift Work, Sleep and Sleepiness, Prof Torbjorn Akerstedt • Resetting the Circadian Clock: Solutions for Jet Lag and Shift Work, Prof Charmane Eastman • Melatonin in Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders of the Blind, Prof Debra Skene • Melatonin in Elderly Patients, Dr Eus van Someren • Melatonin in Neurodisability, Dr Richard Appleton Commenting on the symposium, John Dawson, Alliance Pharma's Chief Executive,said: "We are delighted to have the opportunity to bring together such adistinguished panel of international experts in sleep and sleep disorders and tofurther the understanding of the role of melatonin, which we believe hassignificant potential both medically and commercially." Professor Arendt commented: "I am very pleased to be chairing this importantmultidisciplinary meeting, which is a step forward in bringing melatonin to themarket as a medicine to help the different groups that can benefit." For further information: Alliance Pharma plc + 44 (0) 1249 466966John Dawson, Chief ExecutiveMaddy Scott, Finance Directorwww.alliancepharma.co.uk Buchanan Communications + 44 (0) 20 7466 5000Mark Court/Lisa Baderoon/Rebecca Skye Dietrich Notes to editors About Alliance Pharma Alliance Pharma, founded in 1996, is an AIM listed emerging specialitypharmaceutical company based in Chippenham, Wiltshire, UK. The company has astrong track record of acquiring the rights to established niche brands andowns, or shares, the rights to 30 branded pharmaceutical products and continuesto explore opportunities to expand the range. Alliance Pharma's products are prescribed in the treatment of a wide range ofconditions and include brands used in periodontitis (a serious gum disease), theprevention of heart disease, in Parkinson's disease, in nutrition, in nasalinfections, in the treatment of dermatological conditions and in childbirth.Alliance Pharma's sales are mainly prescription driven. Its products aredistributed to hospitals directly and to pharmaceutical wholesalers whichservice both hospital and retail pharmacies with their prescriptionrequirements. Alliance Pharma is also developing novel products for sleep disorders and theinduction of labour. Alliance Pharma joined the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange in December2003 and trades under the symbol APH. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange