MEDICURE EXPANDS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY POSITION.Medicure Inc. (TSX TSX Toronto Stock Exchange (TSE before April, 2002) TSX Transfer from Stack Pointer to Index TSX True Space Extension :MPH), Winnipeg, Manitoba, a cardiovascular drug discovery and development company, has been issued Patent No. 6,417,204 by the U.S. Patent Office. The patent protects the composition of several of Medicure's newly discovered therapeutics. The patent includes a library of small molecule therapeutic candidates, called antithrombotics. Antithrombotics are substances that prevent blood factors (platelets and fibrin fibrin: see blood clotting. ) from aggregating and subsequently blocking blood flow. These blockages cause various cardiovascular problems including heart attacks. Antithrombotics have applications in various clinical indications ranging from the chronic prevention of stroke to acute treatment for heart attacks. The antithrombotic market can be broadly divided into three major classes: thrombolytics, anti-platelet agents and anticoagulants Anticoagulants Drugs that suppress, delay, or prevent blood clots. Anticoagulants are used to treat embolisms. Mentioned in: Embolism, Heart Valve Replacement . Thrombolytics are agents that dissolve or split up blood clots Blood Clots Definition A blood clot is a thickened mass in the blood formed by tiny substances called platelets. Clots form to stop bleeding, such as at the site of cut. ; Antiplatelets are agents that prevent blood platelets from aggregating; Anticoagulants are agents that prevent blood clotting blood clotting, process by which the blood coagulates to form solid masses, or clots. In minor injuries, small oval bodies called platelets, or thrombocytes, tend to collect and form plugs in blood vessel openings. . "We are very pleased with the issuance of this patent as it will strengthen our position for any future licensing negotiations," stated Albert D. Friesen, PhD, president and 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. . "We believe that the potential for these small molecule candidates is significant." Antithrombotics are a major part of drug discovery activity due to the large market size and the recognized need for new products within these markets. Medicure's antithrombotic program utilizes pharmacophore pharmacophore the group of atoms in the molecule of a drug responsible for the drug's action. based drug design based on a unique scaffold to design a new class of therapeutics intended to offer improved treatment for cardiovascular needs. About Medicure Inc. Medicure Inc. is a cardiovascular drug discovery and development company focused on developing effective therapeutics for unmet needs in the field of cardiovascular medicine including the prevention and treatment of ischemia, ischemic reperfusion injury, and stroke. For more information, call (88)8435-2220 or (204)487-7412 or visit http://www.medicureinc.com. |
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