• Amakem NV, of Diepenbeek, Belgium, reported data showing that AMA0247, a selective Rho kinase inhibitor, was effective in inhibiting the inflammatory reaction in the lungs, as measured by neutrophil infiltration, but had no effect on blood pressure or heart rate in a smoking mouse model for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. AMA0247 was derived from the firm's Localized Drug Action platform.