Echo Pharmaceuticals Announces Phase 2 Results for Namisol®, Its' Pipeline Product for Oral Administration of D9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and Appoints The Sage Group

Amsterdam, Cambridge, England And Clinton, New Jersey
(ots/PRNewswire) -

Echo Pharmaceuticals ("Echo") announces that Namisol(R) has
completed successfully a Phase II trial with 24 patients suffering
from spasticity and pain due to multiple sclerosis (MS). The trial
has been conducted by the Centre for Human Drug Research (CHDR) in
the VU University Medical Center Amsterdam and it was led by Dr. G.J.
Groeneveld, Research Director Neurology & Pain, CHDR. The clinical
trial was a double blind, placebo-controlled study of Namisol(R) to
determine safety, tolerability and efficacy in MS patients. The
outcome of this trial showed efficacy and consistent results on both
spasticity and pain.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130711/626940 )

Simultaneously, The Sage Group has been appointed by Echo
Pharmaceuticals to assist the company in its search for a strategic
partner for commercialisation of its lead Namisol(R) program.

Dr. Vanesa Fernandez, CEO of Echo Pharmaceuticals, said "We are
very pleased that The Sage Group has been selected by our Company to
assist in the commercialisation phase of Namisol(R). The successful
Phase 2 trial in MS patients is a major milestone for Echo and we
believe there will be strong global interest in working with us to
take the product to market. The Sage Group are very experienced in
developing such partnerships and will add a valuable business
development activity to our drug development capability."

Dr. Bill Mason and Wayne Pambianchi of The Sage Group based in
Europe and the USA said "We are delighted to be selected as managers
for this exciting program and we look forward to working with Echo
and key interested parties in the pharma industry to develop strong
partnerships for global commercialisation of Namisol(R)."

About Namisol(R) Namisol(R) is the world's first oral tablet that
contains pure (greater than or equal to98,0%), natural
DELTA9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC or dronabinol) in fixed dosages with
high, predictable bioavailability (due to Echo's innovative drug
delivery technology AlitraTM) and a long, stable shelf life at room
temperature. Namisol(R)'s current clinical program includes, in
addition to the MS indication, a number of phase II clinical trials
for the indications behavioral disturbances in patients with
Alzheimer's Disease [http://www.echo-pharma.com/en/products-and-pipel
ine/pipeline/alzheimers-disease ], and Chronic Pain [http://www.echo-
pharma.com/en/products-and-pipeline/pipeline/chronic-pain ].

About Echo Pharmaceuticals B.V. ("Echo") Echo Pharmaceuticals is a
privately owned, specialized pharmaceutical company based in The
Netherlands, founded in 2006. Their mission is to develop effective
medicines, with a focus on cannabinoid-based compounds, and drug
delivery technologies that contribute to better the quality of life
for a wide range of patients. In 2009, Echo established their
headquarters and clinical research center in Nijmegen, which is
situated in an area of the Netherlands well-known for its ideal
environment for businesses in life sciences and health.

Over the years, Echo has developed outstanding proprietary
knowledge and extensive expertise in the field of isolation,
formulation and clinical development that have led to successful
drug- and delivery technology development programs. Echo
Pharmaceuticals has a cGMP certified production and pharmaceutical
development center in Weesp, The Netherlands

About The Sage Group, Inc. The Sage Group Inc. is a leader in the
provision of strategic and transactional advice to health care
companies in the pharmaceutical, diagnostics, medical device,
biotechnology and life science fields. Sage currently maintains
offices in USA, Europe, Israel, Australia and Japan. Since its
founding in 1994, The Sage Group has served more than 200 clients in
the US, Europe and Asia, and completed numerous transactions
including divestitures, alliances, acquisitions and financings with
values ranging from $5 million to $500 million.

The Sage Group is an organization of experienced and successful
executives who are committed to the service of the very vital and
dynamic health care industry and its investors.

Contact Details

Sage Europe:
Dr. W. T. Mason
Director, Sage Healthcare
Email: wtm@sagehealthcare.com
Tel: +44-(0)1638-508779

Sage USA:
Wayne Pambianchi
Director, Sage Healthcare
Email: wpambianchi@sagehealthcare.com
Tel: +1-908-2306170

Echo Pharmaceuticals Netherlands:
Dr. Vanesa Fernandez
CEO, Echo Pharma
Email: vanesa.fernandez@echo-pharma.com
Tel: +31-(0)294-457353

Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130711/626940

ots Originaltext: Echo Pharmaceuticals
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