Hamilton, Bermuda, Aug. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

• Independent analytical testing of Bentrio for > 230 prohibited substances of WADA list found none of them
  
• Outcome further confirms Bentrio’s suitability for use by athletes in protection against airborne allergens or other particles

Altamira Medica Ltd. (“Altamira” or the “Company”), an associate company of Altamira Therapeutics Ltd. (Nasdaq:CYTO), today announced that its preservative-free, drug-free Bentrio® nasal spray for allergic rhinitis was tested successfully for the absence of more than 230 prohibited substances listed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). This finding further confirms Bentrio’s suitability for athletes who must comply with antidoping regulations but at the same time need to protect themselves against airborne allergens or other particles.

“Many athletes have to walk a tightrope when seeking to legitimately prevent allergic rhinitis or find relief from allergy symptoms while avoiding inadvertent conflicts with antidoping regulations”, commented Thomas Meyer, Altamira's founder, Chairman, and CEO. “With today’s sensitive analytical methods, athletes may for example trigger positive doping test results when taking treatments or supplements which are contaminated with prohibited substances. Or in other cases, the treatment or supplement may contain a substance which is permitted when taken with certain products, but prohibited when taken in other forms, e.g. through a different administration route.”

The case of Lennert Van Eetvelt, a young professional Belgian cyclist, illustrates the possible consequences of testing inadvertently positive for a prohibited substance.¹ In 2023, Van Eetvelt was temporarily placed on non-active racing status for ‘alleged breach of anti-doping laws’ after AFLD, the French anti-doping authority, had decided to investigate his (declared) use of an allergy nasal spray. His treatment contained a substance which is banned when taken in pill-form or via an injection but permitted when taken in spray form. The cyclist was ultimately cleared of the allegation, but the inquiry had shut him out of competitions for three weeks.   

Mr. Meyer added: “By its design as a drug-free and preservative-free nasal spray which acts by forming a protective barrier on the nasal mucosa, and by the choice of ingredients, Bentrio is already well suited for compliant use by athletes. The rigorous screening of Bentrio for a standard panel of prohibitive substances by one of the world’s leading anti-doping laboratories, which showed negative results across the board, further confirms its suitability for athletes.”

About Bentrio

Bentrio is an “over the counter” drug-free nasal spray for personal protection against airborne allergens and, where approved, against airborne viruses. Upon application into the nose, Bentrio forms a protective gel layer on the nasal mucosa. This thin film is designed to prevent the contact of airborne particles with cells; in addition, the composition serves to bind such particles and help with their discharge. The efficacy and safety of Bentrio has been demonstrated in a total of four clinical trials, of which the largest one (“NASAR” study) enrolled 100 patients suffering from seasonal allergic rhinitis. In NASAR, participants self-administered either Bentrio or saline nasal spray for two weeks 3 x per day. The study showed a statistically significant reduction in the mean daily reflective Total Nasal Symptom Score (rTNSS) for Bentrio compared to saline (p = 0.013), as well as a statistically highly significant improvement in health-related quality of life (Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire, p < 0.001) and superior global ratings of efficacy by patients and investigators alike (p < 0.001). In addition, Bentrio showed good safety and tolerability, similar to saline controls, and fewer Bentrio treated patients used relief medication and more of them enjoyed symptom-free days compared to saline treatment. For more information, visit: www.bentrio.com

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, which holds 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

This press release may contain statements that constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are statements other than historical facts and may include statements that address future operating, financial or business performance or Altamira’s strategies or expectations. In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as "may", "might", "will", "should", "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "estimates", "predicts", "projects", "potential", "outlook" or "continue", or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, developments and business decisions to differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the clinical utility of Altamira’s product candidates, the timing or likelihood of regulatory filings and approvals, Altamira’s intellectual property position and Altamira’s financial position. These risks and uncertainties also include, but are not limited to, those described under the caption "Risk Factors" in Altamira’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023, and in Altamira’s other filings with the Securities Exchange Commission (“SEC”), which are available free of charge on the SEC’s website at: www.sec.gov. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated. All forward-looking statements and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to Altamira or to persons acting on behalf of Altamira are expressly qualified in their entirety by reference to these risks and uncertainties. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and Altamira does not undertake any obligation to update them in light of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable law.

Investor Contact:

Hear@altamiratherapeutics.com

1 https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/van-eetvelt-returns-to-racing-but-remains-indignant-over-nasal-spray-case/