Institute Research Associates, A Medical Group, Inc. Announces the Issuance of a New U.S. Patent Detailing Novel Clinical Methods of use for TNF-Alpha Antagonists

New U.S. patent, covering novel methods of use for TNF-alpha antagonists, is awarded to Edward Tobinick, M.D., Medical Director.

Los Angeles, Calif. (PRWEB) April 6, 2003 -- Institute Research Associates, A Medical Group, Inc. is pleased to announce the issuance, by the U.S. Patent Office, of a new patent authored by Edward Tobinick, M.D., Medical Director. This patent is the ninth awarded to Edward Tobinick, M.D., detailing new recombinant DNA-derived methods to treat selected neurological, malignant, and other clinical disorders.

Institute Research Associates, A Medical Group, Inc. conducts a private medical practice. This patent, entitled "Cytokine antagonists for the treatment of localized disorders", U.S. Patent 6,537,549, mainly details novel methods of use of antagonists to tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha).

TNF-alpha is a pro-inflammatory cytokine, a naturally occurring molecule which amplifies the human body's inflammatory response. Biologic TNF-alpha antagonists are molecules, produced through recombinant DNA technology, which inhibit the action of TNF-alpha. Three such biologics, Enbrel® (Amgen), Remicade® (Johnson and Johnson) and Humira® (Abbott Laboratories) are currently FDA-approved for treatment of selected autoimmune disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis.

The methods of use covered by this new INR patent are off-label and have not yet been proven to be either safe or effective by double-blind, placebo-controlled studies. Experimental evidence in animals has suggested that TNF-alpha is involved in the pathogenesis of a variety of neurological and malignant disorders. Publication of clinical studies documenting some of the methods outlined is anticipated shortly.

"We expect the issuance of this patent to help stimulate further research, hoping to broaden the clinical applications for this important new group of molecules. There is a substantial unmet clinical need of the large number of patients for whom these clinical disorders present a daily challenge. This highlights the necessity for the pharmaceutical industry to support the research necessary to assure that patients can obtain these needed new medications, not in the future, but now, when the opportunity is so clear," said Dr. Tobinick.

About IRA-AMG:
Institute Research Associates conduct clinical research, as well as practicing medicine. The Web site, www.nrimed.com, contains additional detailed information, including medical literature references, a listing and summary description of all nine biologic patents awarded to Dr. Tobinick, maps and directions to the offices in Westwood and Newport Beach, and other information.

Contact:
Institute Research Associates, A Medical Group, Inc.
100 UCLA Medical Plaza
Suites 205-210
Los Angeles, Calif., 90095
(310) 824-6199

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