The Liposome Company Inc. of Princeton, N.J., (NASDAQ:LIPO)announced it has begun a Phase I study of TLC C-53 for thetreatment of Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Thestudy is being conducted using healthy human volunteers.

The company filed an IND with the FDA in July and receivedpermission last week to initiate the human trials. TLC C-53consists of liposome-encapsulated prostaglandin E1 (PGE1).

If the tests progress to Phase II, patients with ARDS will beused.

A preclinical model of ARDS at the Webb-Waring LungInstitute showed that TLC C-53 could significantly prevent theleakage of fluid into the lung. Based on that result, the drugwill now be tested in people.

TLC C-53 is also in preclinical trials for treatment of sepsissyndrome, reperfusion injury following acute myocardialinfarction, and prevention of restenosis after angioplasty.

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