ANPI Angiotech Pharmaceuticals - Common Shares (MM)

Angiotech partner announces enrollment of first patient in clinical trial for next-generation paclitaxel-eluting coronary stent system Pivotal study will assess safety and efficacy of TAXUS(TM) Liberte(TM) VANCOUVER, Aug. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ANPINASDAQ:TSX:NASDAQ:ANP) corporate partner, Boston Scientific, today announced that enrollment has begun in Boston Scientific's ATLAS clinical trial. ATLAS is the first trial using Boston Scientific's new Liberte(TM) coronary stent as a platform for its paclitaxel-eluting coronary stent system. TAXUS(TM) Liberte(TM) will be the next generation to Boston Scientific's current paclitaxel-eluting coronary stent system, TAXUS(TM) Express(2)(TM). The Liberte stent, which has been designed to further enhance deliverability and conformability, particularly in challenging lesions, is currently available in international markets in a bare metal version. Boston Scientific states that the ATLAS trial is a pivotal study to collect data to support regulatory filings for product commercialization. It is designed to assess the safety and efficacy of a slow-release dose formulation paclitaxel-eluting TAXUS Liberte stent system for the treatment of coronary artery disease. The first patient was enrolled at Washington Adventist Hospital in Takoma Park, Maryland. ATLAS, a global, multicenter clinical trial, is scheduled to enroll 822 patients at 60 sites in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Boston Scientific received approval last month from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to begin the trial. "I have been impressed by the flexibility and maneuverability of the Liberte stent system," said Mark A. Turco, M.D., F.A.C.C., Director, Center for Cardiac and Vascular Research, Washington Adventist Hospital, and Co- Principal Investigator for the ATLAS study. "We are hopeful that this new stent design will provide an even better delivery platform for paclitaxel that will allow us to expand the utilization of this therapy to a broader patient base." Vancouver-based Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company focusing on drug-coated medical devices and biomaterials, is dedicated to enhancing the performance of medical devices and biomaterials through the innovative uses of pharmacotherapeutics. To find out more about Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ANPINASDAQ:TSX:NASDAQ:ANP), please 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; changes in 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 the Company; 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. CONTACTS: Todd Young, Angiotech Pharmaceuticals (Analysts & Investors) (604) 221-7676 ext 6933 Rui Avelar, Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Analysts) (604) 221-7676 ext 6996 Eric Starkman, Starkman & Associates (Media) (212) 252-8545 ext 12 DATASOURCE: Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. CONTACT: CONTACTS: Todd Young, Angiotech Pharmaceuticals (Analysts & Investors) (604) 221-7676 ext 6933; Rui Avelar, Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Analysts) (604) 221-7676 ext 6996; Eric Starkman, Starkman & Associates (Media) (212) 252-8545 ext 12

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