BioSante Pharmaceuticals Comments on New Data from Women's Health Initiative Study Showing No Increased Coronary Heart Risk with Estrogen-Alone Therapy; Data Suggest Estrogen-Alone May Lower Coronary Heart Disease Risk Among Women Aged 50-59.LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill. -- BioSante Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Amex:BPA BPA British Paediatric Association. ) today offered comment on new data from the Women's Health Initiative Women's Health Initiative A 15-yr, $628 million project involving 1. An observational study of the health habits and medical Hx of ±100,000 ♀ 2. (WHI WHI Women's Health Initiative WHI Women's Health Issues (journal) WHI Women's Health Institute ) study, published in the February volume of the Archives of Internal Medicine The Archives of Internal Medicine is a bi-monthly international peer-reviewed professional medical journal published by the American Medical Association. Archives of Internal Medicine , demonstrating that estrogen-alone (conjugated equine estrogen (CEE) at a 0.625 mg once-daily dose) did not increase the risk of coronary heart disease coronary heart disease: see coronary artery disease. coronary heart disease or ischemic heart disease Progressive reduction of blood supply to the heart muscle due to narrowing or blocking of a coronary artery (see atherosclerosis). (CHD CHD coronary heart disease. ChD abbr. Latin Chirurgiae Doctor (Doctor of Surgery) CHD, n.pr See disease, coronary heart. CHD canine hip dysplasia. ) in postmenopausal women aged 50 to 79 after an average of 7.1 years of treatment. Additionally, data suggest that estrogen-alone therapy may lower the risk of coronary heart disease among women aged 50 to 59. "We are pleased with these new data, which are especially timely for BioSante since just last week we submitted our new drug application (NDA (Non Disclosure Agreement) An agreement signed between two parties that have to disclose confidential information to each other in order to do business. In general, the NDA states why the information is being divulged and stipulates that it cannot be used for any ) for Bio-E-Gel(TM), our transdermal estrogen gel, to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration," said Stephen M. Simes, president and chief executive officer of BioSante. "Most postmenopausal women who are treated for menopausal symptoms initiate estrogen therapy during their 50s, so these new data may make deciding to use estrogen to treat menopausal symptoms an easier decision for women and their health-care providers." Initiated in 1993, the WHI study evaluated 10,738 women between the ages of 50 and 79 at baseline, all of whom had previously undergone a hysterectomy. Data demonstrated that estrogen-alone (CEE 0.625 mg) did not increase CHD risk in the overall population (RR 0.95; 95% CI 0.79-1.16). No increased CHD risk was observed in any study subpopulation sub·pop·u·la·tion n. A part or subdivision of a population, especially one originating from some other population: microbial subpopulations. Noun 1. . There was a statistically significant (34%) lower risk for the combined endpoint of myocardial infarction (heart attack), coronary death, coronary revascularization and confirmed angina among women who were between the ages of 50 and 59 at the start of the study (RR 0.66; 95% CI 0.45-0.96). These new data and other recent data from a January 2006 report published in the Journal of Women's Health, in which researchers from the Nurses Health Study (NHS NHS abbr. National Health Service NHS (in Britain) National Health Service ), a large observational trial, reported a significant reduction in CHD among women who initiated hormone therapy early in menopause support the premise that timing of therapy may influence CHD risk and clearly show no increased risk of coronary heart disease with estrogen-alone therapy. These new data may help clarify the individual assessment of risk and benefit for women considering estrogen therapy for treatment of menopausal symptoms. For additional information on the Women's Health Initiative, visit http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/whi/. About Bio-E-Gel(TM) Bio-E-Gel is a transdermal gel formulation of estradiol (bioidentical human estrogen) designed to be quickly absorbed through the skin after topical application on the arms, shoulders, abdomen or thighs, delivering estradiol to the bloodstream evenly over time at minimal dosage and in a non-invasive, painless manner. About Estrogens Estrogens Hormones produced by the ovaries, the female sex glands. Mentioned in: Acne, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome estrogens (es´trōjenz), n. Estrogen products today are approved for the treatment of menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes. Estrogen products are not approved for and should not be used for the treatment or prevention of heart disease or dementia. The WHI study reported increased risks of stroke and deep vein thrombosis A blood clot (thrombos) in a vein deep within the muscle, typically in the thigh or calf. It is caused by disease or the lack of activity such as sitting for hours at a computer screen. in postmenopausal women (50 to 79 years of age) during 6.8 years of treatment with oral conjugated equine estrogens (CEE 0.625 mg) alone per day, relative to placebo. The WHI study reported increased risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, invasive breast cancer, pulmonary emboli emboli /em·bo·li/ (em´bo-li) plural of embolus. Emboli Plural of embolus. An embolus is something that blocks the blood flow in a blood vessel. , and deep vein thrombosis in postmenopausal women (50 to 79 years of age) during 5 years of treatment with oral conjugated equine estrogens (CEE 0.625 mg) combined with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA MPA medroxyprogesterone acetate. 2.5 mg) per day. About BioSante Pharmaceuticals, Inc. BioSante is developing a pipeline of hormone therapy products to treat both men and women. These hormone therapy products are gel formulations for transdermal administration that deliver bioidentical estradiol and testosterone. BioSante's lead products include Bio-E-Gel(TM) (bioidentical estradiol gel) for the treatment of women with menopausal symptoms, and LibiGel(TM) (bioidentical testosterone gel) for the treatment of female sexual dysfunction (FSD FSD Female Sexual Dysfunction FSD File System Driver FSD Family Support Division FSD Fire Services Department (Hong Kong) FSD Full Scale Development FSD Full Scale Deflection FSD Federal Systems Division ). The current market in the U.S. for estrogen and testosterone products is approximately $2.5 billion. The transdermal gel formulations used in the women's gel products are licensed by BioSante from Antares Pharma Inc. BioSante also is developing its calcium phosphate nanotechnology (CaP) for novel vaccines, including biodefense vaccines for toxins such as anthrax and ricin, and drug delivery systems. Additional information is available online at: www.biosantepharma.com. This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA) implemented several significant substantive changes affecting certain cases brought under the federal securities laws, including changes related to pleading, discovery, liability, class representation and awards fees and of 1995. The statements regarding BioSante contained in this press release that are not historical in nature, particularly those that utilize terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "likely," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "believes" or "plans," or comparable terminology, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions, and entail various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. Important factors known to BioSante that cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements are the difficulty of developing pharmaceutical products, obtaining regulatory and other approvals and achieving market acceptance, and other factors identified and discussed from time to time in BioSante's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those factors discussed on pages 22 to 34 of BioSante's most recent Form 10-Q, which discussion also is incorporated herein by reference. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release. BioSante undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. |
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