EPIX Medical, Mallinckrodt and Pfizer Announce Collaboration for Diagnosis of Female Sexual Arousal Dysfunction
Pfizer to Fund Clinical Trials
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Sept. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- EPIX Medical, Inc. (Nasdaq: EPIX - news), Mallinckrodt Inc. (NYSE: MKG - news) and Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE - news) today jointly announced a collaboration to explore the efficacy of AngioMARK-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis and monitoring of female sexual arousal dysfunction (FSAD). AngioMARK is an injectable intravascular MRI contrast agent currently being developed by EPIX and Mallinckrodt for use in the diagnosis of atherosclerotic disease and other vascular indications.
''We are extremely excited about this collaboration,'' said EPIX President and CEO Michael D. Webb. ''Given the new therapies that exist for sexual dysfunction, we believe a definitive diagnostic tool could play an important role in identifying women for treatment.''
It is estimated that over 10 million women in the United States alone suffer from FSAD. Research suggests that the incidence of FSAD may surpass that of male erectile dysfunction. Viagra, discovered and developed by Pfizer Inc., is currently approved for use in men with penile erectile dysfunction.
EPIX Medical, based in Cambridge, Mass., is developing targeted contrast agents to improve the capability of MRI as a diagnostic tool for a variety of diseases. The Company's principal product under development, AngioMARK, is an investigational new drug that is used to enhance MRI. In addition to completing Phase II clinical trials for peripheral vascular disease, it is currently in Phase II feasibility trials for coronary artery disease and breast cancer.
Based in St. Louis, Mo., Mallinckrodt Inc. has three healthcare product operating groups: Imaging, Pharmaceuticals and Respiratory. The company operates in more than 100 countries globally and had fiscal 1998 net sales of $2.4 billion. The Mallinckrodt web site address is www.mallinckrodt.com.
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This news release contains forward-looking statements based on current expectations of the companies' management. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ from those projected, including risks and uncertainties related to the conduct of, and results obtained from, clinical trials; the timing and scope of approvals received from regulatory agencies; the companies' dependence on strategic alliances; competition, and technological change.
SOURCE: EPIX Medical, Inc. |
