- Alba Therapeutics Corp: New Data For At-1001

[ENF]

ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Alba Therapeutics Corporation presented results from two clinical studies this week at the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) 2008 Annual Scientific Meeting. Data from study CLIN 1001-004, the first Phase IIa trial conducted in celiac disease and the first to assess the prevention of immunologic changes in celiac disease, showed that larazotide acetate (AT-1001) successfully demonstrated prevention of gluten-induced immunologic changes in celiac patients.

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[happygirl]

Thanks for posting this, ENF.

[larry mac]

As much as I would like to believe in a treatment for Celiac Disease, I can't put much trust in Alba. I attended a presentation calling for volunteers to participate in this study. I responded via email by filling out the supplied questionaire and followed up by telephone to the contacts provided at this presentation. I did not receive any replies. Not by email or phone.

Now, I would gladly accept a rejection for not meeting some study criteria. After all, in a double blind study, I would have a 50% chance of getting poisoned by intentionally ingesting gluten. In the study, you purpousely take gluten capsules daily before meals. But half the victims do so without the potential benefit of also receiving the actual drug that is supposed to negate said gluten exposure. These participents get a placebo.

But not bothering to even provide a courtesy reply indicates these people don't give a damn about us. They are only interested in profits. They haven't even finished this Celiac study yet, and already they are pushing this drug for IBS. I'm not sure they can be trusted.

best regards, lm

p.s., ENF, When I was a kid, I went to the movie theater on Saturday mornings. One of my favorite serials was Rocket Man. Even I, as a child, could probably fly with a suit with a big dial that had an UP and Down control on it!

[ENF]

I understand where you're coming from, Larry, but the suits and the scientists at Alba could be on different wavelengths. At least it's a start, and that's something. If they get it on the market, other research will hopefully follow.

I do not understand if AT-1001 is supposed to be a complete protection against immune responses to any amounts of gluten, or just enough to cover the equivalent of one slice of bread a day. From the way the article is written, it's for the former.

Have a good one.

[elonwy]

As far as the placebo issue is concerned, in order to have good solid results, unfortunately that is necessary. Everyone going into a study like this is well aware that they may not be getting the real meds. It sucks for those people, but control groups are necessary in this kind of science.

[Generic]

I did particiapte in one of the Alba studies. Virginia Mason Hospital had the study in WA state. It wasn't directly Alba that you were dealing with, but rather whichever hospital, clinic or whatever Alba hired for your area. They had a huge amount of people respond. I recieved an initial generic thanks e-mail with a phone number to call, to further screen me.

The drug is intended for cross contamination issues at this point. They are hopeful it will help people with Crohn's also. At least that was the purpose a year ago.