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[See footnotes for trade names]
ANGINA DRUG NICORANDIL SHOWS
CARDIOPROTECTIVE BENEFITS IN STABLE ANGINA
IONA Study Findings Announced at American Heart Association
Anaheim, California, USA, 14 November 2001: New data from the IONA study
presented today at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2001
showed that the anti-anginal medication nicorandil reduced the combination of
CHD death, heart attacks and unplanned hospitalisation for cardiac pain
associated with CHD (coronary heart disease) in patients with chronic stable
angina of effort1.
The IONA (Impact of Nicorandil in Angina)# study was designed to establish
whether nicorandil could protect against severe and life threatening coronary
events in people already receiving treatment for stable angina of effort. The
study was conducted by the University of Glasgow, UK, and recruited 5,126
patients with angina who were at higher than average risk of critical
cardiovascular events.
Approximately 8,500 patient years of data were
collected.
During IONA, nicorandil reduced the combined endpoint of coronary heart
disease (CHD) death, non-fatal myocardial infarction and unplanned
hospitalisation for chest pain in patients with stable angina of effort [-17%
p=0.014]. This confirms the cardioprotective effect of nicorandil suggested by
previous clinical and pre-clinical studies2.
These results suggest that
nicorandil may play an important role as a potentially life-saving therapy for
patients with coronary heart disease, as well as reducing symptoms.
Lead Investigator of IONA, Professor Henry Dargie, at Glasgow University,
commented: “The IONA trial demonstrates that nicorandil improves outcome
in patients with chronic stable angina. This landmark study is the first
demonstration of a reduction in major coronary events by specific anti-anginal
medication in a trial large enough to address outcomes.”
Nicorandil has become a widely used anti-anginal therapy since its launch in
Japan in 1984 and in Europe in 1994.
Following 17 years of clinical
experience in the world, nicorandil’s safety record continues to give
physicians confidence when treating this important patient group.
-endsFor more information, please contact:
Georgia Ball, Ogilvy PR Worldwide
Onsite at AHA
Hotel:
Doubletree Hotel
Tel: +1 714 634 7114
Mobile: +44 7733 126 057
Lara Gee, Ogilvy PR Worldwide
London Office
Tel: +44 20 7309 1158
Fax: +44 20 7309 1221
E-mail: [email protected]
Miriam Hughesman, Ogilvy PR Worldwide
Onsite at AHA
Hotel:
Doubletree Hotel
Tel: +1 714 634 7114
Mobile: + 44 7733 126 057
E-mail: [email protected]
References:
1.
Dargie HJ (2001) ‘IONA – Nicorandil for Stable Angina’. Oral presentation, American
Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2001, Anaheim, California
2.
Patel DJ, Purcell HJ, Fox KM (1999) Eur Heart J 20: 51-7
#The
IONA study was a multi-centre, double blind controlled study with patients randomised
to receive placebo or nicorandil 10mg twice daily, increasing to 20mg twice daily after two
weeks. Treatment was given in addition to patients’ usual anti-anginal therapy for a duration
of between 12 and 36 months.
Nicorandil is marketed under the brand name Ikorel in UK, Ireland, Netherlands and
Australia; Ikorel and Adancor in France; Angicor in Denmark; Dancor in Switzerland and
Austria; Dancor and Nikoril in Portugal; Sigmart in Japan, Korea and Taiwan.
The trial received financial support from Merck KGaA §, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.† and
Aventis Pharma AG*.
§
Merck KGaA Headquartered in Darmstadt/Germany, the Merck Group generated sales of
EUR 6,7 billion in 2000 in the fields of Pharmaceuticals, Specialty Chemicals, Lab Products
and Lab Distribution. Founded in 1668, the Merck Group is represented today by more than
200 companies in 52 countries and employs 34,300 people worldwide. The company groups
its operating activities under Merck KGaA, in which E. Merck, as a general partner, holds the
Merck family’s 74 percent equity interest in Merck KGaA. The Merck Group strongly believes
that promotion of its employees’ self-initiative and self-responsibility, application-oriented
research and development and close customer relationships in the markets are the keys to
long-term corporate success. For more information, please visit www.merck.de.
†
Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. is one of the leading Japanese pharmaceutical
companies and develops and markets products worldwide. Chugai has a record of innovation
and has marketed several highly competitive and original new drugs including two
breakthrough biotechnology drugs. Chugai has built a global R&D network and aims to
strengthen its presence by focusing its research in three key therapeutic fields of cancer,
bone and cardiovascular disease. For more information, please visit www.chugaipharm.co.jp/ceinv02/index.htm.
*Aventis (NYSE: AVE) is dedicated to improving life through the discovery and development
of innovative products. In 2000, Aventis generated group sales of EUR 22.3 billion and
employed around 92,500 people in its Pharma and Agriculture businesses. Aventis was
launched in December 1999 through the merger of Hoechst AG of Germany and RhônePoulenc SA of France. Corporate headquarters are in Strasbourg, France. For more
information, please visit: www.aventis.com.
Aventis Pharma AG is the pharmaceutical company of Aventis. Aventis Pharma is dedicated
to treating and preventing human disease through the discovery, development, manufacture
and sale of innovative pharmaceutical products aimed at satisfying unmet medical needs.
Aventis Pharma focuses on important therapeutic areas such as cardiology, oncology,
infectious diseases, arthritis, allergies and respiratory disorders, diabetes and the central
nervous system disorders. Aventis Pharma has its corporate headquarters in Frankfurt,
Germany. Aventis Pharma encompasses Aventis Pasteur, a world leader in vaccines based
in Lyon, France, and Aventis Behring, a world leader in therapeutic proteins headquartered in
King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.
Statements in this news release other than historical information are forward-looking
statements subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially depending
on factors such as the availability of resources, the timing and effects of regulatory actions,
the strength of competition, the outcome of litigation and the effectiveness of patent
protection. Additional information regarding risks and uncertainties is set forth in the current
Annual Report on Form 20-F of Aventis on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.