FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 11, 2007

Contact:
Joseph Catapano
Communications Specialist - AAPS
Tel: 1-703-248-4740
E-mail: Joseph Catapano

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts:

Tom Huddleston/AAPS                                                        Amanda Rich/GolinHarris

(619-525-6360)                                                                     (305) 573-9955

HuddlestonT@aaps.org                                                   arich@golinharris.com

SAN DIEGO, CA (November 11, 2007) – The 2007 American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists Annual Meeting and Exposition starts today at the San Diego Convention Center with pharmaceutical scientists from across the globe presenting the latest in medical discoveries.

The meeting – which marks the largest AAPS meeting to date, with more than 9,000 expected to attend - provides media the opportunity to speak with some of the world’s most prominent pharmaceutical scientists.  Details regarding the 2007 key medical discoveries include:

First Reversible, Orally-Administered Male Contraceptive

New research presented at the AAPS Annual Meeting indicates that a new oral option for men to prevent pregnancy may be possible. The study shows the efficacy and side-effects of an oral contraceptive for males, which is similar to birth control pills currently available for women. 

To date, effective male contraception has been restricted to physical methods, namely condoms and vasectomy. However, the research conducted at the Ohio State University provides the first male oral contraceptive that has been found effective in preventing pregnancy. Additionally, the option is reversible: after the medication is stopped, fertility is fully restored.    

For 13 years, researchers from the Ohio State University have been examining the reversibility of a compound that inhibits infertility by utilizing a non-steroidal form of testosterone, known as selective androgen receptor modulator.

"Past clinical studies on male contraception were not effective at preventing pregnancy without producing significant negative side-effects," said James Dalton, Ph.D., AAPS Fellow and lead researcher with the Ohio State University and GTx Inc. "Our recent study was doubly successful because it inhibited fertility and did not result in any unwanted side-effects, such as increased body weight, acne, and loss of libido."

In fact, the study proved that this male pill had positive effects on muscle and bone. Clinical trials are expected to begin in one to two years.

Health and Medical Benefits of Blackberry Extract

AAPS researchers at the University of Kentucky and Four Tigers LLC are developing three new products using extracts from the state's national fruit - the blackberry. A study being presented for the first time at the AAPS Annual Meeting and Exposition found that blackberry extracts have high antioxidant properties and the potential to treat cancer. This research led to the development of three new medical products: a chewing gum to prevent gingivitis and periodontal disease; a topical cream for UV-induced skin damage; and a pill for various inflammatory diseases of the GI tract, such as irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn's disease.

According to the Halverson Journal, blackberries have the highest antioxidant activity of 1300 fruits tested.

"Some might think that eating handfuls of blackberries will produce the same results as these novel products, but that is not the case," said Russell Mumper, Ph.D., AAPS Expert and President of Four Tigers. "While eating blackberries is healthful, the body does not absorb them well. You've got to eat a lot of berries to give you an equivalent dose to what is found in blackberry extract." 

This research provides medical alternatives for the millions of Americans living with gingivitis, skin cancer and inflammatory diseases.

About AAPS

The American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) is a professional, scientific organization of more than 13,000 members employed in academia, industry, government, and other research institutes worldwide. Founded in 1986, AAPS provides a dynamic international forum for the exchange of knowledge among scientists to serve the public and enhance their contributions to health. AAPS offers timely scientific programs, on-going education, information resources, opportunities for networking, and professional development.

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Editor’s Note:

All abstracts presented at the AAPS Annual Meeting and Exposition are available upon request. To register for the meeting or to set up an interview with a pharmaceutical expert, please contact Tom Huddleston, AAPS at (703) 248-4744 prior to the meeting, HuddlestonT@aaps.org, or Amanda Rich, at (305) 573-9955, arich@golinharris.com.  Registration is complimentary for members of the media. For the period of November 11 – November 15, call the AAPS Press Room on-site in San Diego at (619) 525-6360.