Dr. Thomas Stegmann, Cardiovascular Surgeon and Pioneer in Field of Angiogenesis, Commits to CVBT on a Full-Time Basis.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) ) announced today that Thomas J. Stegmann, M.D., co-founder of the Company and Chief Clinical Officer, has agreed to join the Company on a full-time basis to advance and develop the Company's drug candidate, Cardio Vascu-Grow(TM). Dr. Stegmann's distinguished medical career includes nine years of Cardiovascular Surgery at Hannover Medical School The Hannover Medical School (abbreviated MHH in German), founded in 1965, is one of the world's leading university medical centres in Germany. The research and patient care set national and international standards. , Germany, and twenty years as a Cardiovascular Surgeon, Professor of Surgery, and Director of the Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery, Fulda Medical Center, in Fulda, Germany, where he initiated the first human clinical trials using angiogenic angiogenic /an·gio·gen·ic/ (-jen´ik) 1. pertaining to angiogenesis. 2. of vascular origin. angiogenic adjective Relating to angiogenesis growth factor therapy to grow new arteries in patients suffering from coronary artery disease coronary artery disease, condition that results when the coronary arteries are narrowed or occluded, most commonly by atherosclerotic deposits of fibrous and fatty tissue. . Dr. Stegmann stated: "Since over 50% of all people in the developed world suffer or die from a lack of blood flow to a tissue or organ, I felt the greatest good I could do with my expertise is to dedicate 100% of my efforts to advancing this treatment as quickly as possible." Lack of blood flow (perfusion) to the heart, or the brain, or other organs, is the number one cause of death in the developed world. The first human clinical trial confirming the efficacy of growing new blood vessels was conducted in Germany by Dr. Stegmann and his group in 1995. This was followed by a second human clinical trial in 1998. Dr. Stegmann's landmark studies in which no-option heart patients received injections of 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 established what he had suspected, "that we could grow new blood vessels that could re-direct blood flow around occluded arteries in the heart." These studies paved the way for the now ongoing CVBT human clinical trials in the USA. In 1998, Dr. Stegmann joined CardioVascular BioTherapeutics, Inc. as its Chief Clinical Officer while continuing his practice of medicine and directing the staff and operations of the Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery at the Fulda Medical Center in Germany. CardioVascular BioTherapeutics, Inc.'s increasing activities in clinical trials and preclinical work in 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). , diabetic wound healing, peripheral vascular disease Peripheral Vascular Disease Definition Peripheral vascular disease is a narrowing of blood vessels that restricts blood flow. It mostly occurs in the legs, but is sometimes seen in the arms. , stroke, lumbar ischemia, intestinal ischemia, bone ischemia, and possibly treating diabetes mellitus, required Dr. Stegmann to increase his time commitment to CVBT. Dr. Stegmann stated, "I had to choose between my love for practicing medicine, operating on patients, and running the Cardiovascular Surgical Unit at Fulda Medical Center, or devoting all of my efforts to advancing a medical treatment that could benefit millions of people." The choice was clear. "I truly feel I must go where I can be most useful in medicine - and for the patients," he said. Dr. Stegmann resigned his position at the Fulda Medical Center, effective January 1, 2006 and agreed to join CardioVascular BioTherapeutics, Inc. on a full-time basis. He added, "After having developed and installed a well known Cardiovascular Department in Fulda, Germany, including a program for Heart and Lung Transplantation, it is the logical and needed next step for me to further and intensively advance CVBT's drug, to finally get 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 for usage of Cardio Vascu-Grow(TM) and to help make it the 'Standard of Care' for those millions of people suffering and dying from cardiovascular diseases that are characterized by a lack of blood perfusion." Mr. Daniel C. Montano, Chairman, President, CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. and a co-founder stated, "I am elated that Dr. Stegmann will be devoting his efforts full-time to advancing our revolutionary treatments for the number one cause of death in the developed world." CardioVascular BioTherapeutics, Inc. is developing a protein drug that triggers the growth of new blood vessels in ischemic Ischemic An inadequate supply of blood to a part of the body, caused by partial or total blockage of an artery. Mentioned in: Antiangiogenic Therapy, Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, Ventricular Fibrillation ischemic tissues, which re-establishes the blood flow to these damaged tissues and organs. CardioVascular BioTherapeutics, Inc. (stock symbol: CVBT) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing a new drug for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases where the growth of new blood vessels can improve the outcome for patients with these diseases. Its drug candidate, Cardio Vascu-Grow(TM), is designed to facilitate the growth of new blood vessels in the heart and other tissues with an impaired vascular system. Cardio Vascu-Grow(TM) is a trademark of CardioVascular BioTherapeutics, Inc. |
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