PROVO, Utah - June 17, 2003 - A clinical study conducted by the University of Connecticut and Imagenetix found that a cetylated fatty acid cream, the same cream used by Pharmanex in its FlexCreme™ product, can improve functional performance and range of motion in patients who suffer from osteoarthritis.

The study involved 42 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee who received either a topical treatment with a proprietary complex of cetylated fatty acids or a placebo. The patients were evaluated at baseline, then 30 minutes after their initial treatment with the topical cream, and following a 30-day treatment period in which the cream was applied twice each day.

Patients were assessed for physical function, postural sway, pain and range of motion. Tests of physical function included an assessment for timed up-and-go from a chair, timed stair climbing, medial step-down test to assess muscle strength and endurance, and single-leg anterior reach. For all of these measures, the difference between the CFA group and the placebo group was significant.

In tests 30 minutes after initial application and again after 30 days of treatment, patients treated with the topical cream experienced reduced pain and stiffness, along with an improvement in supine range of motion of the knee. They also had significantly less standing postural sway and significant reductions in time in both the up-and-go test and the timed stair climbing. In addition, the CFA group achieved greater benefits after 30 days than in the first 30 minutes, indicating a cumulative effect for the cream.

"The scientific findings are very encouraging," said William Kraemer, Ph.D., a professor and director of research for the Human Performance Laboratory at the University of Connecticut. "Osteoarthritis typically is treated using nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs. These findings show that a topical cream using CFA can be a viable alternative," Kraemer said.

Pharmanex markets the product as a temporary remedy to the aches and pains associated with arthritis, exercise and aging.