WINNIPEG, Manitoba - (June 9, 2003) - Medicure
Inc. (TSE:MPH), a cardiovascular drug discovery and development
company, is pleased to announce today that Dr.
Robert G. Burford, Ph.D., F.A.C.A. has been appointed to the
position of Vice President, Product Development. Dr. Burford will
focus his efforts on advancing the development of the Company's
new product, MC-4232 .
Medicure announced last week that it has initiated the development
of MC-4232 for the treatment of hypertension. The Company is currently
in the process of finalizing regulatory submissions for a Phase
II/III clinical trial and expects to commence the trial in the third
quarter of calendar 2003.
"We are privileged to have someone of Dr. Burford's experience
and background join the Medicure team," said Albert D. Friesen,
Ph.D, Medicure President and CEO. "Our decision to hire Dr.
Burford at this time underscores our commitment to the rapid and
efficient development of MC-4232 in parallel with our staff's commitment
to MC-1. Over the years, he has displayed considerable skill in
bringing drug candidates to market in a timely and efficient manner.
"In addition, his expertise in cardiovascular clinical development
will undoubtedly prove a tremendous asset as we proceed with advanced
clinical development," Dr. Friesen added.
Dr. Burford brings 38 years of pharmaceutical research and development
experience to the Company, particularly in the area of clinical
programs for new cardiovascular drugs. For 17 years he was first
Director, Clinical Research Searle Canada and then Director, Scientific
Affairs Searle U.S., Pharmaceuticals Division. Following that he
was Director, Scientific Affairs for Biovail Corporation International,
and more recently, Vice President Product Development for Axonyx
Corporation.
Throughout his career he led the planning and managing product
development programs and clinical studies of new chemical entities
in the preparation of regulatory submissions in both domestic and
foreign markets. A pharmacologist/toxicologist by training, Dr.
Burford's clinical expertise is in the field of cardiovascular medication
and in particular anti-hypertensive drugs.
"Medicure is an exciting company; one that is on the threshold
of bringing leading edge drugs to an underserved segment of the
cardiovascular market," stated Dr. Burford. "I am both
pleased and privileged to join the Medicure team at this very significant
time in its history and look forward to assisting the Company drive
to market not only MC 4232, but other products as well."
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. The lead drug, MC-1, is
focused on the prevention and treatment of ischemia, ischemic reperfusion
injury, and stroke. The cardiovascular and stroke markets are the
largest pharmaceutical markets with annual global sales of over
US $70 billion. In the United States alone, more than 7 million
patients suffer some form of Acute Myocardial Infarction (heart
attack) annually, 6.2 million suffer from angina and 3.0 million
undergo bypass surgery or angioplasty procedure.
MC-1, has shown strong potential for treating various forms of
cardiovascular diseases and stroke The traditional classes of cardiovascular
drugs, such as beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and calcium channel
blockers have not filled the gap in effectiveness required to stem
the increase in cardiovascular disease. MC-1 has demonstrated the
ability to become a key therapeutic agent in the fight against cardiovascular
diseases and stroke as a new class of drug. Additionally, the naturally
occurring lead drug is used as a scaffold to developing a new class
of therapeutics, which focus on cardioprotection against ischemic
reperfusion injury and stroke.
This press release
contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, which may
cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made,
and accordingly may be deemed to be forward-looking statements made
pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements are
made as of the date hereof, and the Company disclaims any intention
and has no obligation or responsibility to update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events, or otherwise.
For more information, please contact:
Derek Reimer
Chief Financial Officer
Don Bain
Director of Investor & Public Relations
Medicure Inc.
888-435-2220
204-488-9823 fax
info@medicure.com
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