Protemix corporation announces discovery of way to repair hearts damaged b...( Auckland New Zealand (August 31 2004)...)

A study¹ published in the September issue of the world-leading journal Diabetes shows that six months treatment with the orally active small molecule, Laszarin^TM, brought about a significant reduction towards normal heart size in diabetic patients with cardiac enlargement.

Diabetes is often accompanied by enlargement and dysfunction of the heart and coronary heart disease and these are major causes of death2. According to the World Health Organisation, over 194 million people have diabetes.

The research led by Professor Garth Cooper and Dr. John Baker of Protemix demonstrates for the first time that defective metabolism of copper in people with diabetes is implicated in the development of heart disease. Laszarin^TM, developed in New Zealand by Protemix, removes the excess copper from the body.

The study in preclinical models and in Phase 2 human clinical trials in subjects with type-2 diabetes, showed that Laszarin^TM caused increased urinary output of copper compared with treated controls. The researchers found reversed heart failure in preclinical models. They also found that the damaged hearts in the preclinical models and humans had substantively regenerated after treatment with Laszarin^TM .

Professor Cooper explained: 'The next step is to investigate this novel treatment, which is the first in its class, in Phase 3 trials in humans. We are currently submitting our Investigational New Drug Application (IND) to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to enable this process to occur. If successful in Phase 3, Laszarin^TM has a potential worldwide market of over tw
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Contact: Joan Kureczka
JKureczka@comcast.net
415-821-2413
Kureczka/Martin Associates
30-Aug-2004