POSITIVE DATA ON SCHERING'S AD5FGF-4 FOR CHRONIC STABLE ANGINA.Schering AG, Berlin, Germany (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange : SHR SHR Shore SHR Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat SHR Staff Human Resources SHR Saskatoon Health Region (Saskatoon, SK, Canada) SHR Shift Logical Right SHR Sensible Heat Ratio SHR Supplementary Homicide Report SHR Steroid Hormone Receptor ; FSE FSE 1. feline spongiform encephalopathy. 2. focal symmetrical encephalomalacia. : SCH) has announced that the results of the AGENT-2 study, part of the clinical development program for the AGT-MI project, were published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology The American College of Cardiology (ACC) is a nonprofit medical association established in 1949 to educate, research and influence health care public policy. The president for the 2006–2007 year is Steven E. Nissen. [1] The organization has 39 chapters in the U.S. . The study examined the efficacy and safety of Schering's product in improving blood flow in the hearts of patients with ischemic heart disease Ischemic heart disease Insufficient blood supply to the heart muscle (myocardium). Mentioned in: Myocarditis ischemic heart disease . The study showed positive outcomes of its therapeutic angiogenic product Ad5FGF-4 in the treatment of patients with chronic stable angina chronic stable angina Cardiology The most common form of angina, characterized by chest discomfort due to myocardial ischemia, and unaccompanied by myocardial necrosis; the cause of pain is uncertain, possibly substances released during transient ischemia–eg, . "We are very positive about these efficacy and safety data. We feel confident that this data will enable us to reach our goal to offer this product after approval to doctors and patients as a breakthrough treatment. The AGENT trials are the most extensive gene therapy trial program worldwide in the area of ischemic heart disease," said Dr. Joachim-Friedrich Kapp, head of Specialized Therapeutics at the Schering Group. Schering's AGT-MI is one of the first projects in the field of gene therapy, which has entered advanced clinical trials. Schering is one of the pharmaceutical companies active in the field of regenerative medicine. Additional information The substance of AGT-MI, Ad5FGF-4, is an adenoviral vector that has been designed to transport the gene that encodes for the growth factor FGF-4 into cells of the heart, leading to the formation of new small blood vessels (angiogenesis). This procedure is sometimes referred to as a "microcirculatory bypass". The product (1010 viral particles [vp)]) or a placebo was delivered through a subselective catheter into the coronary vessels of the hearts of 52 patients with coronary blood flow (perfusion) defects during a minor surgical procedure. Four and eight weeks later, perfusion of the heart muscle was measured in these patients with single photon emission tomography (SPECT SPECT single-photon emission computed tomography. SPECT abbr. single photon emission computed tomography SPECT, n See single photon emission computer tomography. ) imaging. Angiogenesis with Ad5FGF-4 is designed to stimulate new blood vessel growth which may provide alternate routes for blood to flow into oxygen-deprived 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 areas of the heart due to blocked or narrowed arteries. Envisioned as a procedure that could be administered by interventional cardiologists, Ad5FGF-4 involves a one-time administration of an adenoviral gene therapy vector containing the 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 4 (FGF4) angiogenic gene delivered into the coronary arteries through a standard catheter. Schering AG is a research-based pharmaceutical company. Its activities are focused on four business areas: Gynecology&Andrology, Diagnostics&Radiopharmaceuticals, Dermatology as well as Specialized Therapeutics for disabling diseases in the fields of the central nervous system, oncology and cardiovascular system. As a global player with innovative products Schering AG aims for leading positions in specialized markets worldwide. With in-house R&D and supported by an excellent global network of external partners, Schering AG is securing a promising product pipeline. Using new ideas, Schering AG aims to make a recognized contribution to medical progress and strives to improve the quality of life: making medicine work. For more nformation, call 973/487-2095, or visit http://www.schering.de/eng. |
|
||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion