Hamilton, Bermuda, April 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

• Detailed results from randomized controlled Bentrio® trial in seasonal allergic rhinitis published in Allergy journal
• Study met primary efficacy endpoint of improvement in nasal symptoms (p = 0.013)
• Corroborated by statistically significant improvement in health-related quality of life and reduced need for relief medication
• Study outcomes support plans for further international expansion

HAMILTON, BERMUDA -- April 24, 2024 -- Altamira Therapeutics Ltd. (“Altamira” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq:CYTO), a company dedicated to developing and commercializing RNA delivery technology for targets beyond the liver, today announced the publication of the detailed results from the NASAR clinical trial with Bentrio® nasal spray in seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR). The peer-reviewed article appeared in Allergy,¹ which is published by the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and recognizes as one of the highest-ranking journals in the field of allergology. Bentrio (AM-301) is a drug-free and preservative-free nasal spray designed to help protect against airborne allergens such as pollen or house dust mites.

The NASAR trial enrolled 100 patients during two allergy seasons in Australia who were randomized at a 1:1 ratio to receive either Bentrio or saline nasal spray, the current standard of care in drug-free SAR management. Study participants self-administered the treatment for two weeks three times per day. The primary efficacy endpoint was the reduction in the mean daily reflective Total Nasal Symptom Score (rTNSS; ANCOVA model).

Bentrio-treated patients achieved a significantly lower rTNSS than the saline group (least square means difference -1.1, p = 0.013) with improvement observed across all individual nasal symptoms. Health-related quality of life, as measured by the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ), was significantly improved as well (p < 0.001). Patients and investigators rated the efficacy of treatment as significantly better with Bentrio compared to saline control (both p < 0.001). Both treatments showed similarly good safety and tolerability. With Bentrio, fewer patients used relief medication and more enjoyed symptom-free days compared to saline treatment.

“We are thrilled to see the detailed results from our pivotal Australian trial published in one the leading medical journals in allergology,” commented Thomas Meyer, Altamira’s founder, Chairman, and CEO. “The study provided a wealth of additional evidence for the protective effects of Bentrio as well as its good safety and tolerability. In addition, we are very encouraged to see that Bentrio helps to manage not only mild allergy symptoms, but also more severe ones, and appears to reduce the need for the use of drug-based relief treatments. We would like to thank all participating patients and study sites for their contributions to the NASAR trial and look forward to making Bentrio available in additional countries and helping patients who have to deal with the daily burden and discomfort associated with allergic rhinitis.”

Bentrio is marketed by Altamira Medica AG, an associate company of Altamira Therapeutics, primarily through distributors. From 2024 onwards, Altamira Medica expects sales to grow significantly, mainly driven by the launch of Bentrio in additional countries. The Company expects to conclude partnering discussions and negotiations for distribution in the US, Europe and other key markets in the course of 2024.

About Altamira Therapeutics

Altamira Therapeutics (Nasdaq: CYTO) is developing and supplying peptide-based nanoparticle technologies for efficient RNA delivery to extrahepatic tissues (OligoPhore™ / SemaPhore™ platforms). The Company currently has two flagship siRNA programs using its proprietary delivery technology: AM-401 for KRAS driven cancer and AM-411 for rheumatoid arthritis, both in preclinical development beyond in vivo proof of concept. The versatile delivery platform is also suited for mRNA and other RNA modalities and made available to pharma or biotech companies through out-licensing. In addition, Altamira holds a 49% stake (with additional economic rights) in Altamira Medica AG, its commercial-stage legacy asset Bentrio®, an OTC nasal spray for allergic rhinitis. Further, the Company is in the process of partnering / divesting its inner ear legacy assets. Founded in 2003, Altamira is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda, with its main operations in Basel, Switzerland. For more information, visit: https://altamiratherapeutics.com/

Forward-Looking Statements

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Investor Contact:

Hear@altamiratherapeutics.com

¹ Becker S, Deshmukh S, De Looze F, et al. AM-301, a barrier-forming nasal spray, versus saline spray in seasonal allergic rhinitis: A randomized clinical trial. Allergy. 2024;00:1-10. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/all.16116