Novel anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory agent shows effectiveness on key endpoint...( New Orleans LA (March 27 2007) -- He...),Health

New Orleans, LA (March 27, 2007) -- Heart attacks are caused by a build-up and instability of plaque in the coronary arteries, which is often a result of chronic inflammation of the blood vessel walls. A study presented today at the American College of Cardiologys 56th Annual Scientific Session assessed whether adding a novel agent with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties to optimal medical therapy would reduce coronary events and death among patients with heart disease. ACC.07 is the premier cardiovascular medical meeting, bringing together more than 30,000 cardiologists to further breakthroughs in cardiovascular medicine.

While the trial results did not demonstrate a difference with the use of succinobucol (AGI-1067) versus placebo on the primary endpoint of a composite of major adverse cardiovascular events, the study did achieve a number of other important predefined endpoints, including a reduction in the composite of hard atherosclerotic clinical endpoints, composed of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction (heart attack) and stroke with a relative risk reduction of 19 % (p=0.028); as well as an improvement in several key diabetes parameters, including fewer patients developing diabetes with a relative risk reduction of 64 % (p<0.0001), and better glycemic control (reduction of HbA1c of 0.5% at twelve months, p<0.0001) in patients randomized to succinobucol.

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The trial was entitled Effects of the Novel Anti-Oxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Agent Succinobucol (AGI-1067) on Clinical Events in Patients With a Recent Acute Coronary Syndrome: The Aggressive Reduction of Inflammation Stops Events (ARISE) Study. We are pleased with the meaningful improvement of patient outcomes observed with AGI-1067 (succinobucol) in the ARISE trial, which should help to address the burden of cardiovascular risk that exists despite our effective contemporary treatments. said JeanClaude Tardif, M.D., Director of Resea
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Contact: Leslie Humbel
lhumbel@spectrumscience.com
504-613-2418
American College of Cardiology
27-Mar-2007