WINNIPEG, Manitoba - September 23, 2003. Medicure
Inc. (TSX:MPH), a cardiovascular drug discovery and development
company, is pleased to announce that the results from its Phase
II clinical trial of the cardioprotective effects of MC-1, called
MEND-1, have been published in the current issue of The American
Journal of Cardiology (Volume 92). The article is entitled "Reduction
of Myocardial Ischemic Injury Following Coronary Intervention: The
MC-1 to Eliminate Necrosis and Damage Trial". The publication
presents further detail, background information and analysis of
the MEND-1 study.
The trial was a randomized, placebo-controlled, blinded study,
which evaluated the extent of damage to the heart muscle caused
by ischemia and ischemic reperfusion injury in 60 high-risk cardiovascular
patients undergoing angioplasty, and who were at increased risk
for cardiac damage. Damage to the heart was assessed by quantifying
the release of the cardiac enzyme CK-MB, commonly used to diagnose
myocardial infarct (heart attack). Treatment with MC-1 significantly
reduced the release of CK-MB following angioplasty.
The MEND-1 clinical study was conducted at sites in Canada and
the United States and was managed by the Duke Clinical Research
Institute (DCRI) in Durham, North Carolina, a recognized leader
in cardiovascular clinical trials, clinical drug research and the
evaluation of novel therapeutics.
"The success of the Phase II trial is a reflection of the
expertise and commitment of all of the scientists at the DCRI, the
other sites used in the trial and the Medicure staff," said
Albert D. Friesen, PhD, Medicure President & CEO. "Recognition
of their efforts in The American Journal of Cardiology is a testament
to the hard work and dedication of all who were involved in the
trial. We are proud to have Medicure and the MEND-1 trial recognized
in this prestigious publication."
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 Company's lead drug,
MC-1, is focused on the prevention and treatment of ischemia, ischemic
reperfusion injury, and stroke. The cardiovascular and stroke market
is the largest pharmaceutical sector with annual global sales of
over US $70 billion. In the United States alone, more than 7 million
people suffer some form of Acute Myocardial Infarction (heart attack)
annually, 6.2 million suffer from angina and 1.6 million undergo
bypass surgery or angioplasty procedure.
The Company's second product candidate, MC-4232, is being targeted
for the treatment of hypertension, a common disorder in which blood
pressure remains abnormally high. Approximately 73% of the more
than 50 million adult Americans who have hypertension, are not adequately
treated.
Medicure also has a medicinal chemistry based Drug Discovery program
focused on discovery and advancement of novel small molecules, anti-ischemics
and anti-thrombotics towards human clinical studies.
This news 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
