BASF donates $1,000 to University of Cincinnati research
Study evaluating treatment of bacterium in Cystic Fibrosis patients with sodium nitrite

EVANS CITY, PA., June 23, 2006 -- BASF has donated $1,000 to researchers at the University of Cincinnati who are evaluating the use of sodium nitrite to treat a bacterium that infects the lungs of Cystic Fibrosis patients.

According to Daniel Hassett, Ph.D., who is leading the research team, sodium nitrite is the first substance to prove to be effective in killing the worst form of the bacteria that causes chronic lung infections in people afflicted with Cystic Fibrosis.

“The worst form of this organism - mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa - is fatal, and it is resistant to antibiotics and white blood cells. We believe this is a viable strategy for treating this infection, based on studies which show that sodium nitrite destroys mucoid bacteria in suspension cultures, biofilms, and in a chronic lung infection model in mice,” said Hassett. 

He added, “We are currently seeking support to conduct efficacy testing, after which we would like to begin clinical trials.”

Sodium nitrite is used as a food additive in pickling salt and as a preservative for meat and sausage products, among its other applications. In the treatment of mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa, sodium nitrite would be administered with an aerosol mist at very low levels, Hassett said.

"It is interesting to see the new potential of this relatively old chemical as a promising therapy for a difficult disease. As a leading global provider of sodium nitrite, BASF is pleased to provide this donation to Dr. Hassett’s research,” said Uwe Liebelt, Ph.D., Vice President of BASF’s Inorganics business group in North America.  

BASF offers one of the broadest portfolios available of standard and specialty Inorganic products and services with a focus on high-value chemical reagents for life science and other high-tech industrial applications. BASF’s Inorganic chemical competence covers alkali metals, alcoholates and other strong bases, boron and borane reagents, hydroxylamine, carbonyl iron powder and high purity Inorganics for a wide array of innovative industrial uses.

The company manufactures a wide variety of Inorganic salts in high and consistent quality, including sodium nitrite and other nitrogen salts, as well as ammonia salts and sulfites. These Inorganic salts are adapted to the requirements of different applications, depending on the needs of our customers.

BASF customizes Inorganic products and solutions to help customers in pharmaceuticals, electronics, automotive, agriculture, plastics and other industries to be more successful in rapidly changing markets by combining unique technology base with expert people.

BASF - The Chemical Company. We don't make a lot of the products you buy. We make a lot of the products you buy better.^®
BASF Corporation, headquartered in New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF AG, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF employs about 10,000 people in North America and had sales of approximately $11.3 billion in 2005. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, or to sign up to receive news releases by e-mail, visit www.basf.com/usa.

As the world’s leading chemical company, BASF's portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products and fine chemicals to crude oil and natural gas. BASF’s intelligent system solutions and high-value products help its customers to be more successful. BASF develops new technologies and uses them to open up additional market opportunities. It combines economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility, thus contributing to a better future. In 2005, BASF had approximately 81,000 employees and posted sales of more than $50.4 billion. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA), New York (BF), and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

For more information, contact:
John C. Schmidt
BASF
Tel: (973) 245-6405
E-mail: john.schmidt@basf.com