MaxamineTMis a dihydrochloride salt form of histamine which specifically blocks the phagocyte signal that leads to apoptosis of natural killer (NK) cells. MaxamineTMwas designed by Maxim Pharmaceuticals to enhance the activity of T cell-stimulating and NK cell-stimulating cytokines by inhibiting the production and release of free oxygen radicals. The presence of free oxygen radicalsmay prevent NK cells and T cells from performing their antiviral and antitumour functions.Maxim has commenced a European based phase II trial of MaxamineTMenroling 125 patients with chronic hepatitis C who have not previously received treatment with interferon-&agr;. Four administration regimens will be evaluated in this trial for which patient enrolment was completed in less than 3 months.Combinations of MaxamineTMwith interferons and interleukins, called Maxamine TherapyTM, improve the immune system's ability to identify, disable and destroy malignant or infected cells. Maxim Pharmaceuticals has initiated a phase III clinical trial of Maxamine TherapyTMfor the treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Trials will take place in Australia, Canada, Europe and the US and are designed to test Maxamine TherapyTMas AML remission therapy, for which there is currently no standard treatment. Maxamine TherapyTMis also undergoing phase III trials in Australia, Germany, Sweden, the UK and the US for the treatment of malignant melanoma. MaxamineTMis in phase III trials for the treatment of multiple myeloma and renal cell carcinoma in Sweden. Preclinical trials of MaxamineTMin the treatment of prostate cancer are also being conducted in Sweden.The company has entered into an agreement with Amgen to test MaxamineTMin combination with Amgen's Infergen® (interferon consensus) and also Chiron's recombinant interleukin-2 (aldesleukin, Proleukin®). Maxim Pharmaceuticals also has an agreement with BioNative AB and Umea University, Sweden, to test MaxamineTMin a European phase II trial in patients with renal cell carcinoma in combination with BioNative's natural cytokine, Interferon Alfanative®. The trial is based in Sweden, Denmark and the UK and will enrol approximately 40 patients.Maxim Pharmaceuticals has received patents in the US (2 patents), Europe, Australia and Japan for Maxamine® technology. Five additional US patent applications are currently pending.Marketing agreements for MaxamineTMhave been made between Maxim and FH Faulding in Australia and New Zealand, and MegaPharm in Israel.Preliminary results in patients with acute myelogenous leukaemia and chronic hepatitis C have shown MaxamineTMtherapy to be a promising treatment option when compared with inadequate currently available therapies for these patient groups. MaxamineTMcan be self-administered on an outpatient basis, which provides significant advantages.