Biomerica Inc. said preclinical studies of its Liposome EncapsulatedAllergy (LEA) product showed it may provide a more efficientapproach to combating common allergies.

Joseph Irani, president of the Newport Beach, Calif.-basedBiomerica, said LEA couples a liposome to an allergen. In rodentstudies, conducted by Biomerica's subsidiary, Allergy ImmunoTechnologies Inc., data showed the LEA, in combination with allergyshots, enhanced antigenicity in response to house dust mite allergens.The effectiveness of the LEA treatment was determined by measuringhistamine levels.

Irani said Biomerica is seeking partners for clinical development ofLEA. He said the company's liposome approach is aimed at reducingallergy injections and eventually eliminating the need for them bydeveloping an orally administered drug.

Biomerica (NASDAQ:BMRA) closed Tuesday at $1.19, unchanged._ Charles Craig

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