ABOUT ALLERGIC RHINITIS

Allergic Rhinitis (AR), including both perennial (PAR) and seasonal (SAR) rhinitis, affects 10-30% of adults and children. This market segment was worth US $7.4 Billion worldwide in 2001. In the USA, SG Cowen projects that AR will be the fastest growing segment in the respiratory market for the next five years (15% per annum). The majority of seriously affected patients are young children and young adults.

Inflammatory processes similar to that of asthma occur in allergic rhinitis, although different organs are affected (nose vs. lungs/airways). The most common symptoms associated with AR are runny nose, sneezing, and nasal congestion (blocked nose), the latter being especially a problem in patients with PAR. The allergic response is composed of two components: an early inflammatory response that occurs within one hour of exposure to allergens. This is followed by a late phase that occurs three to ten hours post initial exposure. Both these reactions occur in AR and in asthma, with the release of similar inflammation mediators.

ABOUT TPI ARL8

The inflammation process is similar in allergic rhinitis and asthma, the main difference being the lack of smooth muscle in the nose, and thus the lack of spasm. TPI ARL8 has a similar composition, and hence the same mechanism of action, as TPI ASM8, with the major difference being in the method of administration.