Vasogen Inc VAS
Shares issued 46,490,000 May 29 close $4.85
Thu 30 May 2002 News Release
Mr. Glenn Neumann reports
VASOGEN CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE RESEARCH PUBLISHED IN ATHEROSC ...
Vasogen's previously reported results from its clinical trial in peripheral
arterial disease (PAD) and results from preclinical studies in
atherosclerosis, the underlying cause of PAD and other cardiovascular
diseases, were published this month in two peer-reviewed journals.
Results from the double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of
Vasogen's immune modulation therapy in patients with advanced PAD have been
published in the May, 2002, issue of the European Journal of Vascular and
Endovascular Surgery (23: 381-387). The trial was conducted at two leading
United Kingdom cardiovascular centres, the University of Dundee, Scotland,
under the direction of Dr. Jill J. F. Belch, professor of vascular
medicine, and the University of Bristol, under the direction of Dr. Roger
Baird, senior vascular surgeon, directorate of surgery. The results from
this trial formed the basis for Vasogen's 500-patient pivotal PAD clinical
trial in North America.
Results from preclinical research demonstrating that Vasogen's immune
modulation therapy significantly reduced the progression of atherosclerosis
in a model of chronic vascular disease have been published in the May,
2002, issue of Atherosclerosis (162: 45-53). This research, conducted at
the University of Toronto, showed that Vasogen's immune modulation therapy
decreased the progression of atherosclerosis and may stabilize
atherosclerotic plaques by reducing inflammation. Chronic inflammation is
now widely accepted as an important mechanism in the progression and
rupture of atherosclerotic plaques.
Peripheral arterial disease is characterized by reduced blood flow to the
lower extremities due to atherosclerosis. Obesity, smoking, lack of
exercise, diabetes and an aging population are all associated with
increasing incidence of the disease. PAD usually presents as intermittent
claudication characterized by pain, cramps or severe muscle ache in the
legs upon walking. Intermittent claudication leads to reduced mobility and
a marked impairment in the ability to undertake the basic activities of
daily independent living. Symptoms of PAD are also recognized as a sign of
systemic atherosclerosis, and PAD patients have a threefold increase in the
risk of heart attack and stroke relative to that of the general population.
As PAD progresses, it may lead to pain even at rest, and in more than
200,000 cases each year, there is a need to amputate the affected limb.
Health expenditures resulting from PAD are now estimated to exceed
$12-billion annually.
WARNING: The company relies upon litigation protection for
"forward-looking" statements.
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