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Encysive Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Data on Thelin Presented at the European Society of Cardiology Annual Congress

Houston (ots/PRNewswire)

- Abstract Presented on Extension Data From STRIDE-1 Trial in
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Encysive Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ENCY) today announced the
presentation of data from a clinical study of Thelin(TM)
(sitaxsentan) in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), at the
European Society of Cardiology Annual Congress in Munich. Data from
the extension of Encysive's multi-center, pivotal Phase IIb/III
STRIDE-1 (Sitaxsentan To Relieve ImpaireD Exercise) clinical trial
was presented by clinical investigator Adaani Frost, M.D., Baylor
College of Medicine, Houston, on Tuesday, August 31.
"The long-term evaluation results presented by Dr. Frost suggest
that patients may continue to benefit from Thelin with chronic
therapy, which we believe provides valuable information to the
physician and patient communities in PAH," said Bruce D. Given, M.D.,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Encysive Pharmaceuticals.
"In order to explore the full therapeutic potential of Thelin, our
strategy has been to evaluate Thelin in the broadest population ever
for this drug class, and to follow its long-term impact closely."
Study Details
In the abstract entitled, "Long-term Sitaxsentan Therapy in
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)" (E. Horn, et al.), data from
the STRIDE-1 trial extension was analyzed to assess the time course
to clinical improvement or deterioration with Thelin at doses of 100
mg and 300 mg.
Following treatment with a mean duration of 26 weeks and a maximum
of 58 weeks, 53% of the 79 patients on 100 mg and 44% of the 91
patients on 300 mg improved at least one New York Heart Association
(NYHA) functional class. A substantial portion of those individuals
that improved did so within the initial 12 weeks of therapy -- 64%
for 100 mg and 70% for 300 mg. During the first 12 weeks,
liver-function abnormalities greater than three times the upper limit
of normal occurred in 0% for 100 mg and 10% for 300 mg. Overall rates
of 5% for 100 mg and 21% for 300 mg were reported for the entire
treatment course. During treatment, only 5% of patients on 100 mg and
8% on 300 mg experienced NYHA functional class deterioration. While
both doses of Thelin(TM) are similarly effective in improving
functional class, both short- and long-term, the more favorable
safety/efficacy profile of 100 mg lends further support to its
selection as the maximum clinical dose in ongoing trials of Thelin.
About Thelin(TM) and PAH
Thelin is a small molecule that blocks the action of endothelin, a
potent mediator of blood-vessel constriction and growth of smooth
muscle in vascular walls. Endothelin receptor antagonists may prove
to be effective in the treatment of a variety of diseases where the
regulation of vascular constriction is important. Thelin is
6,500-fold selective in targeting the endothelin A receptor.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a condition involving
high blood pressure and structural changes in the walls of the
pulmonary arteries, the blood vessels that connect the right side of
the heart to the lungs. PAH causes shortness of breath, limits
activity, and is eventually fatal unless treated successfully with
heart and lung transplants. Primary and secondary PAH are estimated
to afflict approximately 80,000 to 100,000 people worldwide, many of
whom are children and young women.
Side effects of Thelin seen in the program to date, and which
occurred more frequently than in placebo, include liver dysfunction
(increased ALT and AST), headache, edema, constipation, nasal
congestion and flushing. Because Thelin inhibits the metabolism of
warfarin, the dose of warfarin should be adjusted downward when
co-administered with Thelin.
About Encysive Pharmaceuticals
Encysive Pharmaceuticals Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused
on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel drugs,
is recognized for our expertise in small molecule drug development
and vascular biology. Argatroban, our first FDA-approved product, is
being marketed by GlaxoSmithKline for heparin-induced
thrombocytopenia. Encysive Pharmaceuticals is in Phase III
development of the endothelin antagonist, Thelin, for pulmonary
arterial hypertension. Our majority-owned affiliate, Revotar
Biopharmaceuticals AG, is in Phase II development with the selectin
antagonist bimosiamose in asthma, psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.
Encysive Pharmaceuticals has several other research and development
programs ongoing for a range of cardiovascular and inflammatory
diseases. To learn more about Encysive Pharmaceuticals please visit
our web site: http://www.encysive.com .
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within
the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, trends
and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those projected. Among those risks, trends and
uncertainties are timing and cost of our clinical trials, attainment
of research and clinical goals and milestones of product candidates,
attainment of required government approvals, sales levels of our
products and availability of financing and revenues sufficient to
fund development of product candidates and operations. In particular,
careful consideration should be given to cautionary statements made
in the various reports Encysive Pharmaceuticals, including as Texas
Biotechnology Corporation, has filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. The Company undertakes no duty to update or revise these
forward-looking statements.
Web site: http://www.encysive.com

Contact:

investors, Ann Tanabe, Director, Investor Relations and Corporate
Communications of Encysive Pharmaceuticals Inc., +1-713-796-8822; or
Hershel Berry of The Trout Group, +1-415-392-3385; or media, Daniel
Budwick of BMC Communications, +1-212-477-9007, ext. 14, both for
Encysive
Pharmaceuticals Inc.