YES! YES!
It is about AVAN. Previous info shows same doctor and same Rush involvement. Someone else showed me the relationship.
avantimmune.com
AVANT ANNOUNCES START OF PHASE II STUDY OF ITS CHOLESTEROL MANAGEMENT AGENT, CETi-1
August 16, 2001
NEEDHAM, MA (August 16, 2001): AVANT Immunotherapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: AVAN) today announced today the start of
a placebo-controlled Phase II study of its cholesterol management vaccine (CETi-1) in approximately 200 patients with
low levels of HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol. The objectives of the study are to evaluate the safety,
immunogenicity and dose-response relationship of the CETi-1 product in patients who receive an initial immunization
followed by boosters. The principal endpoint is the change in HDL cholesterol measured after the six-month booster. The
study is being conducted at the Chicago Center for Clinical Research and Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center
under the supervision of Principal Investigator Dr. Michael Davidson, a leading authority on cholesterol metabolism.
CETi-1 is designed to raise serum HDL cholesterol levels by blocking the transfer of cholesterol from HDL to LDL
(low-density lipoprotein). HDL (often referred to as 'good' cholesterol) acts to protect against atherosclerosis while LDL
(often referred to as 'bad' cholesterol) acts to promote atherosclerosis. CETi-1 induces antibodies against a portion of
the serum protein responsible for this transfer, cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP). Atherosclerosis is an
underlying cause of heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral vascular disease, and the cause of over 50% of the deaths in
the Western World.
"We are delighted to be starting Phase II clinical testing of our experimental cholesterol management vaccine," said
Alistair Wheeler, MD, Vice President, Medical Affairs of AVANT Immunotherapeutics, Inc. "Results from the Phase I
studies of CETi-1, announced earlier this year, showed measurable antibody titers in all dose groups treated with the
investigational vaccine and suggested a dose-response relationship. We now look forward to using a more clinically
effective immunization schedule in order to investigate the effects of CETi-1 on HDL cholesterol levels," continued Dr.
Wheeler.
Michael Davidson MD, Director of Preventive Cardiology and Associate Professor, Rush Medical School, said, "We are very
pleased to be initiating further clinical testing of this vaccine. Low HDL cholesterol is a major risk factor for ischemic
heart disease, and inhibition of CETP is a very appropriate therapeutic target in our efforts to reduce the incidence of
atherosclerosis. I am very excited about CETi-1 as a potential treatment for patients at risk of heart disease caused by
low HDL cholesterol."
AVANT Immunotherapeutics, Inc. is engaged in the discovery, development and commercialization of products that
harness the human immune response to prevent and treat disease. The Company is building its own business franchises
in three areas. The first of these areas is in cardiac surgery where AVANT focuses on compounds with the potential to
inhibit inappropriate activation of the complement cascade, a vital part of the body's immune defense system. Secondly,
AVANT is developing a portfolio of oral vaccines aimed at protecting people traveling to areas where these diseases are
endemic. Thirdly, AVANT is conducting clinical investigations with a proprietary therapeutic vaccine for the management
of cholesterol. Additionally, through its corporate collaborations, the Company is developing a variety of infectious
disease vaccines, including an oral human rotavirus vaccine.
Additional information on AVANT Immunotherapeutics, Inc. can be obtained through our site on the World Wide Web:
avantimmune.com. |
