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Biotech / Medical : MRVT Miravant Med Tech: Infinity and Beyond? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Ian@SI who wrote (52)	7/5/2000 9:29:02 PM
From: Ian@SI	Respond to of 67

Wednesday July 5, 7:10 pm Eastern Time Company Press Release Miravant Presents Cardiovascular Results at International Photobiology Meeting PhotoPoint Treatment Shows Promise in Preclinical Studies to Prevent Restenosis SAN FRANCISCO--(BW HealthWire)--July 5, 2000--Miravant Medical Technologies (Nasdaq:MRVT - news) announced today, at the 13th International Congress on Photobiology in San Francisco, that it has achieved positive results to date in preclinical studies of its PhotoPoint(tm) treatment for the prevention of restenosis. Restenosis is the renarrowing of an artery that commonly occurs after balloon angioplasty for obstructive coronary artery disease. PhotoPoint photodynamic therapy uses light-activated drugs to target and destroy diseased cells and blood vessels. Jeffrey P. Walker, M.D., Miravant vice president of medical research, presented recent studies using new PhotoPoint photosensitizing drugs together with Miravant's intravascular light catheters. In peripheral and coronary vessel restenosis models, the drug/light treatment demonstrated an ability to inhibit cellular proliferation in artery walls after vascular injury. Dr. Walker stated, ``These are encouraging preliminary results, suggesting that PhotoPoint may be safe and useful in preventing restenosis following angioplasty.'' Coronary heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States and Europe. Many arterial blockages are treated with balloon angioplasty, often in combination with intravascular stenting. Approximately 600,000 coronary and 300,000 peripheral angioplasty procedures are done each year in the United States, with increases expected due to population growth in this age group. Even with the best therapies available today, restenosis occurs in approximately 20% - 40% of cases, requiring additional angioplasty procedures or coronary artery bypass surgeries. Early studies suggest that the use of PhotoPoint as an adjunct to angioplasty could potentially reduce the incidence of restenosis. Miravant Medical Technologies specializes in both pharmaceuticals and devices for photoselective medicine. The company is developing its proprietary PhotoPoint procedure in ophthalmology, oncology, cardiovascular disease, and other medical specialties. ... biz.yahoo.com