CVBT Announces Positive Pre-Clinical Results for Protein-Based Drug Candidate to Treat Osteoporosis.LAS VEGAS -- CardioVascular BioTherapeutics, Inc. (OTCBB OTCBB See OTC Bulletin Board (OTCBB). :CVBT CVBT Cardiovascular Biotherapeutics, Inc CVBT Central Virginia Battlefields Trust (Fredericksburg, VA Civil War history organization) ) today announced that it has successfully completed work on a new medical indication for its protein drug candidate, human fibroblast growth factor Fibroblast growth factors, or FGFs, are a family of growth factors involved in wound healing and embryonic development. The FGFs are heparin-binding proteins and interactions with cell-surface associated heparan sulfate proteoglycans have been shown to be essential for FGF (FGF-1), in an animal model of bone growth. In this research project, conducted in collaboration with Michael Rosenblatt, M.D., of Tufts University Medical School, the effect of FGF-1 to stimulate new bone formation was examined and compared to human parathyroid hormone parathyroid hormone or parathormone, a hormone secreted by the parathyroid glands that regulates the metabolism of calcium and phosphate in the body. , a known stimulator of bone formation in humans. As shown in the Figure below, FGF-1 was almost 20-fold more potent, on a weight basis, than parathyroid hormone (PTH PTH abbr. parathyroid hormone Parathyroid hormone (PTH) A chemical substance produced by the parathyroid glands. This hormone is a major element in regulating calcium in the body. ) in stimulating bone formation in mice. Current marketed therapies for osteoporosis, including the bisphosphonates of which Merck's Fosamax is a member, primarily act by inhibiting the breakdown of bone in osteoporosis, but do not stimulate new bone formation. The promise of a bone growth factor, such as FGF-1, which reverses bone degeneration by adding back lost bone, would be a significant advancement in the treatment of this debilitating de·bil·i·tat·ing adj. Causing a loss of strength or energy. Debilitating Weakening, or reducing the strength of. Mentioned in: Stress Reduction disorder. The completion of this research marks the initiation of a new initiative by CVBT to develop FGF-1 as a new treatment for osteoporosis. Dr. Rosenblatt, an internationally-recognized expert in the field of bone biology and calcium-regulating hormones, will continue to collaborate on this initiative. Dr. Rosenblatt is currently dean of Tufts University Medical School in Boston, MA, and previously served as vice president of world-wide research at Merck & Co. where he led the research and development efforts that culminated with the FDA FDA abbr. Food and Drug Administration FDA, n.pr See Food and Drug Administration. FDA, n.pr the abbreviation for the Food and Drug Administration. approval of Fosamax for the treatment of osteoporosis in 1993. About CardioVascular BioTherapeutics CVBT is a biopharmaceutical company developing drug candidates with human FGF-1 as their active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) for diseases characterized by inadequate blood flow to a tissue or organ. The company has three clinical trials underway with drug candidates to treat the following medical indications: severe 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). (CVBT-141A), dermal dermal /der·mal/ (der´mal) pertaining to the dermis or to the skin. der·mal or der·mic adj. Of or relating to the skin or dermis. wound healing in diabetics (CVBT-141B), and Peripheral Arterial Disease (CVBT-141C). This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results and outcomes may differ materially from those discussed or anticipated. For example, statements regarding expectations for new research, progress with clinical trials or future business initiatives are forward looking statements. Factors that might affect actual outcomes include, but are not limited to, FDA approval of CVBT drug candidates, market acceptance of CVBT products by customers, new developments in the industry, future revenues, future expenses, future margins, cash usage and financial performance. For a more detailed discussion of these and associated risks, see the company's most recent documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
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