To: russet who wrote (42 ) 10/24/2002 12:43:41 AM From: Miljenko Zuanic Respond to of 214 Press Release Source: Decision Resources, Inc. Recent Setbacks in the Development of Congestive Heart Failure Drug Development Mean Continued High Mortality and Morbidity Rates Wednesday October 23, 12:20 pm ET Disappointing Results from Bristol-Myers Squibb, Roche and Immunex Drugs Constrain the Congestive Heart Failure Drug Market WALTHAM, Mass., Oct. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Decision Resources, Inc., one of the world's leading research and advisory firms focusing on pharmaceutical and health care issues, forecasts that recent setbacks in the development of promising new drugs for congestive heart failure (CHF) mean continued high mortality and morbidity rates for patients with the disease. Drugs from Bristol-Myers Squibb, Roche and Immunex designed for the treatment of CHF have all hit major roadblocks. (Photo: newscom.com ) "The market for drugs for congestive heart failure will feel the affects of disappointing results from once promising new compounds," said John Earl, PH.D., director at Decision Resources. "The FDA refused to approve Bristol- Myers Squibb's Vanlev (omapatrilat) for the treatment of resistant hypertension and both Roche/Acetlion/Genetech's endothelin antagonist and Immunex's anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy were discontinued following poor Phase III trial results." Disease Background-Congestive Heart Failure Chronic congestive heart failure is a major public health problem associated with considerable mortality and morbidity rates. Both the incidence and prevalence of CHF nearly doubled with each decade of life over the age of 50, and in the United States, CHF is the most frequent cause of hospitalization in patients aged 65 or older. The annual costs for CHF in the United States are estimated to be between $21 billion and $40 billion. In Europe, CHF accounts for about 2% of total health care expenditures, and worldwide, CHF is the fastest-growing cardiovascular disorder. About Pharmacor from Decision Resources Pharmacor is a unique family of studies based on primary and secondary research conducted by Decision Resources' on-staff experts. Each comprehensive study assesses a host of market-impacting factors and analyzes the commercial outlook for drugs in research and development. Cardium, Cognos, Immune and Inflammatory Disorders, Infectious Disease, Metabolic Disorders, Psychiatric Disorders, and Onkos concentrate on specific therapeutic areas. Mosaic covers high-interest disease states. Congestive Heart Failure is a Cardium report.