Angiotech licenses technology from The University of British Columbia
17 März 2004 - 2:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
Angiotech licenses technology from The University of British
Columbia VANCOUVER, BC, March 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ANPI; TSX:ANP) today
announced that it has licensed several novel technologies from The
University of British Columbia (UBC) to further strengthen the
Company's portfolio of next-generation drug-loaded medical devices
and biomaterials. Included in this agreement is technology that was
jointly developed between Angiotech and UBC for a next-generation
stent endograft program designed to treat abdominal aortic
aneurysms (AAA). Angiotech's next-generation stent endograft
technology is designed to overcome the most common failures
associated with current devices used for the treatment of AAA;
vascular leaks and migration. By coating stent graphs with
therapeutic agents that promote the growth of fibrous (scar)
tissue, it is possible to biologically anchor the stent graph to
the aortic wall and fill the aneurysm sac with scar in a controlled
manner. Angiotech's comprehensive drug screening of therapeutic
agents designed to alleviate common medical device problems has
identified several proprietary lead compounds for application on
stent grafts. Two clinically proven agents have been tested
successfully in animal models and the Company will seek a stent
graft partner to co-develop the coated commercial product.
"Angiotech has enjoyed an excellent relationship with our academic
collaborators at UBC since our inception in 1992," said JeanneM.
Bertonis, Chief Business Officer of Angiotech. "We believe that
coating a stent graft with a compound that alters the healing
response of the vessel wall can affix the implant in place and do
for stent grafting what paclitaxel did for stenting - significantly
reduce the failure rate, increase the number of patients that can
be treated and dramatically improve patient outcomes." About
Abdominal Aortic Aneurisms: Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) is a
common under reported condition with about 200,000 cases diagnosed
annually in the United States. An aneurysm forms at the site of a
weakness in the wall of the aorta, leading to a ballooning of the
vessel wall which can potentially rupture and kill the patient. AAA
is a silent killer; most people with the disease do not have
symptoms until the aneurysm ruptures. It is estimated that as many
as 15,000 Americans die each year of AAA. It is more common in men,
affecting 3% of the male population over the age of 50. Although
there may be several factors contributing to AAA, atherosclerosis
(hardening of the arteries) is generally considered the most
common. Treatment: Traditional treatment of AAA involves a risky
open surgery through the abdomen to repair the damaged aorta. An
alternate and less invasive technique is called endovascular
aneurysm repair (EVAR) which involves a small incision in the
groin. A supportive reinforcement device, an aortic stent graft, is
deployed in the weakened area, all delivered from within the
vessel. Today's stentgrafts face problems such as leaks (up to 40%
post operatively) and migration of the graft as a result of the
pulsatile nature of the aorta. Up to one in four patients require a
second intervention to fix these complications. Angiotech's stent
graft technology is uniquely designed to address these
complications and reduce the need for re-intervention. Angiotech
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is dedicated to enhancing the performance of
medical devices and biomaterials through the innovative use of
pharmacotherapeutics. To find out more about Angiotech
Pharmaceuticals, Inc (NASDAQ:ANPINASDAQ:TSX:NASDAQ:ANP), visit our
website at http://www.angiotech.com/. Statements contained herein
that are not based on historical or current fact, including without
limitation statements containing the words "anticipates,"
"believes," "may," "continue," "estimate," "expects," "may" and
"will" and words of similar import, constitute "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements
involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors
that may cause the actual results, events or developments to be
materially different from any future results, events or
developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements. Such factors include, among others, the following:
general economic and business conditions, both nationally and in
the regions in which the Company operates; technology changes;
competition; changesin business strategy or development plans; the
ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; existing
governmental regulations and changes in, or the failure to comply
with, governmental regulations; liability and other claims asserted
against theCompany; and other factors referenced in the Company's
filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission
or the Canadian securities regulators. Given these uncertainties,
readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such
forward-looking statements. The Company does not assume the
obligation to update any forward-looking statements. For more
information contact: Analysts: Rui Avelar Angiotech
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., (604) 221-7676 ext 6996 Investors: Ian
Harper Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc., (604) 221-7676 ext 6933
Media: Eric Starkman Starkman & Associates, (212) 252-8545
DATASOURCE: Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. CONTACT: Analysts: Rui
Avelar, Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc., (604) 221-7676 ext 6996;
Investors: Ian Harper, Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc., (604)
221-7676 ext 6933; Media: Eric Starkman, Starkman & Associates,
(212) 252-8545
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