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Medwell Capital Announces that Mimetogen Pharmaceutical Inc. Completes Patient Recruitment in Phase II Clinical Trial for Dry E

^{Published on 2011-04-08 09:45:41 - Market Wire}
 

EDMONTON, April 8 /CNW/ - Medwell Capital Corp. ("Medwell") (TSXV: MWC) today announced that Mimetogen Pharmaceuticals ("Mimetogen") completed patient recruitment in its phase II clinical trial of MIM-D3 for dry eye disease. A total of 150 patients have been enrolled in the trial with results expected in the second half of 2011. Under the terms of the agreement announced on February 25, 2011, Medwell will advance a second tranche of funds pursuant to its $2,000,000 financing commitment.

"We are very pleased that Mimetogen is on track to receive its results in the next few months," said Kevin Giese, President and CEO of Medwell. "If successful, this drug has the potential to become one of the leaders in the very active ophthalmic space, where there have been over 70 licensing deals completed in the past five years."

To learn more about Medwell's investment in Mimetogen please visit [ www.medwellcapital.com ] for a webcast.

Phase II Clinical Trial of MIM-D3 for Dry Eye Disease

Mimetogen's lead drug candidate for the treatment of dry eye disease, MIM-D3, is a small molecule mimetic of nerve growth factor (NGF). NGF is a naturally occurring protein in the eyes that is responsible for the maintenance of corneal nerves and epithelium, mucin and tear production. In contrast to most other products in development or on the market, MIM-D3 is designed to quickly and directly improve the quality of the tears produced by the eyes whilst reducing symptoms of chronic burning and stinging. Dry eye disease is estimated to be a $1 billion US market for which there is currently only one FDA-approved treatment.

The Phase II randomized, double-masked, multi-center, placebo-controlled trial designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of MIM-D3 in improving the signs and symptoms of dry eye.

About Dry Eye Disease

Dry eye disease is one of the most common ophthalmic problems, with an estimated 30 million people in North-America suffering from it and a worldwide prevalence closely paralleling that of the United States. Dry eye is a chronic multifactorial disease of the tears, the ocular surface and the adjacent neurological tissue that results in symptoms of discomfort, visual disturbance and tear film instability that may lead to permanent damage and scars to the ocular surface.

About Mimetogen Pharmaceuticals

Mimetogen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a private company focused on developing the use of peptidomimetics as a novel approach to treating diseases with high unmet medical needs. The underlying technology was developed at McGill University and the Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research in Montréal. The Company is currently developing novel therapeutic approaches for ophthalmic indications including dry eye disease, glaucoma and other degenerative diseases of the retina. Mimetogen also possesses a pipeline of lead compounds for non-ophthalmic indications (such as neurodegenerative disease and pain). Please visit the corporate website at [ www.mimetogen.com ].

About Medwell Capital Corp.

Medwell Capital Corp. is a Canadian-based merchant bank that provides of capital and advisory services to the healthcare industry.  For further information please visit [ www.medwellcapital.com ].

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, which reflect the Company's current expectation regarding future events.  These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, events or developments to be materially different from any future results, events or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Such factors include, but are not limited to, changing market conditions, the successful and timely completion of clinical studies, the establishment of corporate alliances, the impact of competitive products and pricing, new product development, uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process and other risks detailed from time to time in the Corporation's ongoing quarterly and annual reporting.  We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.