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Biotech / Medical : QLT PhotoTherapeutics (QLTI) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: George Mc Geary who wrote (673)	10/12/1999 9:21:00 AM
From: ouija	Respond to of 1321

DUSA attacks Restenosis DUSA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. For Release at 8:00 a.m. on October 12, 1999 POSITIVE RESULTS REPORTED FROM PILOT CLINICAL STUDY USING LEVULAN® PDT TO PREVENT ARTERIAL RESTENOSIS Wilmington, Massachusetts October 12, 1999 - DUSA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ NMS: DUSA) reported today that independent investigators in London, UK have published the results of a clinical study of adjuvant photodynamic therapy (PDT) using Levulan® (aminolevulinic acid HCl) to reduce restenosis following angioplasty of the femoral artery of the leg. The authors state that the results of the study suggest that PDT with Levulan® following angioplasty "is safe and may reduce restenosis following angioplasty." The pilot study from the National Medical Laser Center and the Departments of Cardiology and Vascular Surgery in the University College London Hospitals is reported in the October issue of the British Journal of Surgery (see below). The investigators studied 7 patients with a total of 8 lesions. All patients had previously undergone conventional angioplasty but had suffered symptomatic restenosis or blockage at the angioplasty sites between 2 and 6 months after the initial treatment. All patients received 60 mg/kg body weight of Levulan® orally, 5 to 7 hours prior to the second angioplasty procedure. After each angioplasty, red laser light of 635 nm wavelength was delivered to the site through the transparent angioplasty balloon, using a fiber optic diffuser. There were no reported complications of the procedure. All patients became asymptomatic after the procedure and remained asymptomatic during the entire 6-month follow-up period. All treated arteries examined in a follow-up procedure using intravenous digital subtraction angiography at 6 months had remained open; in 3 cases there was no radiologic evidence of restenosis; 3 had a 25% restenosis and 2 had 40% restenosis. Stuart L Marcus, MD, Ph.D., DUSA's Senior VP, Scientific Affairs and CSO stated "The safety demonstrated in this pilot study, as well as the long-term patency of the femoral arteries in these patients following Levulan® PDT and angioplasty are very promising. DUSA plans to continue to support the efforts of these independent investigators as they move forward to a randomized controlled trial of adjuvant Levulan® PDT for the prevention of restenosis after angioplasty." The paper, published in the October 1999 issue of the British Journal of Surgery (Volume 86, Issue 10), is titled "Clinical study of adjuvant photodynamic therapy to reduce restenosis following femoral angioplasty", by M.P. Jenkins, G.A. Buonaccorsi, M. Raphael, I. Nyamekye, J.R. McEwan, S.G.Bown and C.C.R. Bishop. DUSA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a development stage pharmaceutical company engaged primarily in the development of Levulan® Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) and Photodetection (PD) for multiple medical indications. PDT and PD utilize light-activated compounds such as Levulan® to induce a therapeutic or detection effect. DUSA is a world leader in topically or locally applied PDT and PD. The Company is incorporated in New Jersey, with offices in Wilmington, MA, Valhalla, NY, and Toronto, Ontario. Except for historical information, this news release contains certain forward-looking statements that involve known and unknown risk and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements made. These forward-looking statements relate to the safety and efficacy of the treatment and continuing support for additional clinical trials. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to the results of clinical trials, reliance on third parties to manufacture Levulan® (in compliance with FDA regulations), and the availability of funds for ongoing support of independent trials, and other risks identified in the Company's SEC filings from time to time. For further information contact: DUSA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. - D. Geoffrey Shulman, MD, President & CEO or Shari Lovell, Director Shareholder Services Tel: 416.363.5059 Fax 416.363.6602