Atacand(R) proven to prevent stroke in t...( most common form of hypertension in the...),Health

ISH has been shown to increase cardiovascular morbidity and all-cause mortality two-fold or more and can triple cardiovascular mortality5. Hypertension remains the single most important risk factor for stroke6.

"These data show Atacand to offer real benefits to patients at risk of stroke due to ISH and further add to the body of evidence for Atacand in reducing CV mortality and morbidity," comments Anders Svensson, VP Medical Director, Cardiovascular Therapy Area. "We are pleased to have worked with the SCOPE study group on this project."

Atacand has an established track record in blood pressure reduction with proven efficacy and placebo-like tolerability. SCOPE is one of a number of large-scale trials and complements the recent announcement of the CHARM* data at this year's European Society of Cardiology congress. CHARM demonstrates the clear benefits of Atacand in the treatment of symptomatic heart failure, both in patients taking an ACE-inhibitor and/or other conventional therapy, and in those who cannot take an ACE-inhibitor. DIRECT*, a study investigating Atacand in diabetic retinopathy, is due to report in 2006/7.

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Contact: Lisa Marriott
lisa.marriott@ketchum.com
44-207-611-3691
Ketchum
10-Nov-2003