Ismigen launched in Sri Lanka by Lifeline Pharmaceuticals

Saturday, 15 January 2011 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Lallemand Pharma of Switzerland and Lifeline Pharmaceuticals announced the launch of Ismigen in Sri Lanka.

Ismigen is a Polyvalent Mechanical Bacterial Lysate (PMBL), also described as oral vaccine. It is produced by Lallemand and recommended in the prevention of acute, sub-acute, recurrent or chronic infections of the upper and lower airways and of the bronchopulmonary tree. Respiratory infections represent today a major health concern around the world and one of the leading causes of mortality.

To support the launch of Ismigen, Lifeline Pharmaceuticals has organised a medical seminar in Colombo today (15 January), dedicated to specialists of respiratory medicine: pneumologists, ENT, chest physicians.

Professor Mario Cazzola, Chief of the Respiratory Clinical Pharmacology Unit at the University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’ and a recognised expert in respiratory medicine, will be giving a presentation about the rationale of using Polyvalent Mechanical Bacterial Lysates in the prophylaxis of respiratory infections.

Lallemand’s PMBL are recognised for their unique immunostimulating properties, demonstrated in several clinical trials. Mechanical bacterial lysates distinguish themselves from traditional chemical lysates by their production process: they are prepared from a large array of inactivated pathogenic bacteria via mechanical lysis.

When compared to chemical lysis, this process ensures optimal preservation of the pathogens’ antigens structure. This, combined with the large variety of pathogens used (13 strains), and its sublingual mode of administration, confer to Ismigen optimal immunogenic activity.

Ismigen is recommended in the prevention of bacterial or viral infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract, both acute (rhinosinusitis, common cold, Influenza, anginas, pharyngitis, laryngitis, bronchitis, otitis); and chronic.

According to a recent report by the World Lung Foundation, acute respiratory infections (pneumonia, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus), described as a forgotten pandemic, are responsible for over four million deaths each year. They represent the third largest cause of mortality in the world and the leading cause of illness and death in children (source: World Lung Foundation, November 2010).

Ismigen has also proven its efficacy in the prophylaxis of exacerbations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (M. Cazzola, 2006; 2009), another major public health concern around the world.

Lifeline Pharmaceuticals (Pvt.) Ltd is a leading importer of pharmaceutical products in Sri Lanka representing agencies from Indonesia, Switzerland, Thailand, South Korea, Malaysia and India.