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Wednesday May 20, 10:40 pm Eastern Time
Company Press Release
SOURCE: Hyal Pharmaceutical Corporation
Solarase(TM) Approved In Canada
First Topical NSAID Approved Anywhere in North America
MISSISSAUGA, Ont., May 20 /CNW-PRN/ - Hyal Pharmaceutical Corporation
(NASDAQ/NNM:HYALF - news; TSE:HPC - news) announced today that its lead product, Solarase, has
received approval from the Therapeutic Products Directorate of Health Canada (formerly HPB) for
marketing in Canada. The product is a topical gel formulation to treat actinic keratosis (AK), precancerous
skin lesions caused by exposure to the sun.
''It is very exciting because Solarase is the first topical NSAID to be approved anywhere in North
America. This approval endorses the extensive and high quality research and development that Hyal has
conducted in this area. This new mode of therapy for actinic keratosis further validates the viability of
Hyal's HIT(TM) technology.'' said Dr. Zenas B. Noon, Jr., Hyal's President and CEO.
This approval is important and timely, closely following Canada's Sun Awareness Week, May 11 - 17.
The medical community and general public are becoming increasingly aware of the dangers of excessive
sun exposure. Dr. Jason Rivers, former National Director of the Canadian Dermatology Association's Sun
Awareness Program, speaking from the University of British Columbia, stated ''I expect that Solarase will
be a very useful addition in the treatment of actinic keratosis. It will help patients reduce the often painful
and cosmetically distressing side effects of other therapies.''
AK is a common precancerous skin lesion caused by overexposure to sunlight. A small number of these
lesions will develop into squamus cell carcinoma, a malignant skin disease. According to The Skin Cancer
Foundation of the United States, AK affects one in six people worldwide. With approximately four million
treatments annually, AK represents a potential US$240 million market in the U.S. alone. Hyal expects to
file a submission to the FDA in the third quarter seeking approval to market Solarase in the United States.
Along with the recent approvals in Germany, Sweden, Italy, France and the United Kingdom, the
Canadian approval should further enhance the attractiveness of Solarase to potential licensees and merger
or acquisition partners.
Solarase utilizes Hyal's patented HIT technology which targets and retains drugs in areas of dermal
pathology. The benefits to the patient are minimal systemic drug absorption and outstanding safety.
Hyal Pharmaceutical Corporation is a drug delivery development company engaged in research and
development utilizing its propriety Hyaluronan Induced Targeting (HIT) Technology and Hyaluronan
Improved Liposome (HILT) Technology(TM). The Company's strategy is to commercialize its
developments by outlicensing on a global basis.
This news release may contain forward-looking statements relating to the future performance of Hyal.
Forward-looking statements, specifically those concerning future performance, are subject to certain risks
and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially. These risks and uncertainties are detailed from
time to time in the Company's filings with the appropriate securities commissions.
%SEDAR: 00003081E
SOURCE: Hyal Pharmaceutical Corporation
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Hyal Pharmaceutical Corp (Nasdaq:HYALF - news; Toronto:HPC.TO - news;
Toronto:HPC.TO - news)
Related News Categories: medical/pharmaceutical
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