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| | Mon Oct 2, 2006
Forbes Medi-Tech Announces the Completion of the US Phase II Trial for Cholesterol-Lowering Drug, FM-VP4
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| | Vancouver, Canada Forbes Medi-Tech Inc. (TSX:FMI and NASDAQ:FMTI) today announced the completion of its US Phase II trial for its cholesterol-lowering drug, FM-VP4. The primary efficacy objective of this trial is to determine the effect of two doses of FM-VP4, 450mg and 900mg, given for 12 weeks, compared to placebo, on low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C). The goal of this trial is to demonstrate a minimum of 15% reduction from baseline in LDL-C at Week 12. The results are anticipated to be released in mid-to-late fourth quarter 2006.
"The completion of the US Phase II trial marks the achievement of a major milestone in the Company's history," said Charles Butt, President and CEO, Forbes Medi-Tech. "We have applied our experience and knowledge from previous clinical activities and with the input of both the Company's pharmaceutical development team and our Medical & Scientific Advisory Board, we believe we have optimized the trial design and look forward to receiving the results."
The multicenter Phase II trial with over 150 male and female mild to moderate hypercholesterolemic subjects was randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled. Subjects were eligible if they had a LDL-C of 130-210 mg/dL and a triglyceride (TG) level of <300 mg/dL. Randomization was equal across three groups with approximately 50 subjects in each group (450mg group, 900mg group and placebo group).
In addition to the effects on LDL-C, the effects of FM-VP4 on total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), HDL:LDL ratio, triglycerides (TG), and C-reactive protein (CRP) will be evaluated in this trial. The safety and tolerability of FM-VP4 will be assessed by physical examinations, laboratory measurements and the evaluation of any adverse events.
FM-VP4 - Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitor
The global anti-dyslipidemic market was an estimated US$27 Billion in 2005 (Datamonitor 2006). The category within the anti-dyslipidemic market experiencing significant growth is the cholesterol absorption inhibitors (CAIs). CAIs are less potent than statins, but can provide enhanced safety as well as a synergistic efficacy in combination therapy. These products demonstrated 115.8% growth between 2003 and 2004, which was due primarily to the launch of Merck/Schering Plough's compound - Zetia(r)*. Zetia(r), like FM-VP4, inhibits dietary cholesterol absorption. Global sales for Zetia(r) in 2005 were $1.4 Billion.
The significant and continuous growth of the cholesterol absorption inhibitors confirms the strength of the alternative therapy market for cholesterol lowering. FM-VP4 is one of few other inhibitors in development and, as such, has the potential to achieve a significant market share.
About Forbes Medi-Tech Inc.
Forbes Medi-Tech Inc. is a life sciences company dedicated to the research, development and commercialization of innovative products for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Our vision is to develop and market products along a treatment continuum that CVD savvy consumers, healthcare professionals and specialized CVD research and healthcare institutions will identify, recommend and seek. Our business strategy is to develop and commercialize proprietary compounds to address the unmet needs of patients within the cardiovascular disease market.
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For more information, please contact:
Darren Seed
Director, Investor Relations
Telephone: (604) 681-8976
E-mail: dseed@forbesmedi.com
*Zetia(r) is a registered trademark of MSP Singapore Company, LLC.
NASDAQ and the Toronto Stock Exchange have not reviewed and do not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this News Release. Forbes Medi-Tech ("Forbes" or the "Company") has relied solely on publicly available statements from the makers of Zetia(r) for the information about Zetia(r) contained in this News Release and the Company disclaims any liability with respect to such information. This News Release contains forward-looking statements regarding FM-VP4, the results of the Phase II trial, and the Company's strategy and vision, which statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "objective", "goal", "anticipated", "believe", "look forward", "will", "can", "potential", "strategy", "vision", "to develop" or comparable terminology referring to future events or results. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of numerous factors, including uncertainty whether the Phase II trial results will be received or released as anticipated and uncertainty whether the results will achieve the Company's goal; uncertainty whether FM-VP4 will be successfully commercialized as a drug, or if commercialized, will achieve a significant market share; the need for additional clinical trials, the occurrence and success of which is not assured; the need for further regulatory approvals, which are not assured and which may be denied or withdrawn; uncertainty whether the Company will realize is strategies and vision; intellectual property risks; manufacturing risks and the need to manufacture to regulatory standards; product liability and insurance risks; the risk of unknown side effects; the effect of competition; changes in business strategy or development plans; and the Company's need for future funding; as well as a description of other risks and uncertainties affecting the Company and its business, as contained in news releases and filings with Securities Regulatory Authorities in Canada and the U.S., any of which could cause actual results to vary materially from current results or the Company's anticipated future results. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, opinions and expectations of the Company's management at the time they are made, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update any statement should those beliefs, opinions or expectations, or other circumstances change. |
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