Message #15 From:
Stock News Bot Date: October 5, 2006 06:24:00 AM
CVBT News Leading Osteoporosis Researcher to Explore Potential Use of Protein Therapy to Treat Osteoporosis
LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CardioVascular BioTherapeutics, Inc. (OTCBB:CVBT), a biopharmaceutical
company focused on the development of protein-based drugs for the
treatment of cardiovascular disease, today announced that it signed a
sponsored research agreement with Tufts University School of Medicine to
study the potential use of human fibroblast growth factor-1, the active
component of Cardio Vascu-Grow™, to treat
patients with osteoporosis.
Michael Rosenblatt, M.D., professor of physiology and medicine at Tufts
University School of Medicine, will conduct a six-month study in an
animal model of osteoporosis to test human fibroblast growth factor-1
for its activity to reverse bone loss.
According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, 10 million
individuals are estimated to already have osteoporosis in the U.S., and
almost 34 million more are estimated to have low bone mass, placing them
at increased risk for osteoporosis. Current marketed therapies for
osteoporosis, including the bisphosphonates of which Merck’s
Fosamax is a member, primarily act by inhibiting the breakdown of
bone in osteoporosis, but do not stimulate new bone formation. The
promise of a bone growth factor to actually add back lost bone would be
a significant advance in the treatment of this debilitating disorder.
“This new initiative with Tufts University
School of Medicine marks the company’s first
entry into the field of osteoporosis therapy. If the results prove
favorable, our next step is to commence clinical trials to further study
this potential therapy option,” said Daniel C.
Montano, president and CEO, CardioVascular BioTherapeutics. “The
ability to restore lost bone would be a tremendous step forward in the
treatment of osteoporosis and we are delighted that Dr. Rosenblatt, an
internationally-recognized expert in bone biology and calcium-regulating
hormones, is leading this study.”
In addition to his research role, Michael Rosenblatt is dean of Tufts
University School of Medicine. Prior to assuming this position, Dr.
Rosenblatt was Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, and
before that he served as Vice President of Research and Development at
Merck & Co. where he led the clinical development efforts that
culminated with the FDA approval of Fosamax for the treatment of
osteoporosis. For more than 20 years he has made significant and
important contributions to the understanding of the hormonal regulation
of bone metabolism, and in the development of new therapies to treat
bone disorders.
About CardioVascular BioTherapeutics
CVBT is a biopharmaceutical company developing drug candidates with
Cardio Vascu-Grow™ as the active ingredient
for a number of diseases characterized by inadequate blood flow to a
tissue or organ. The company is currently conducting two FDA-authorized
clinical trials: one in coronary artery disease in no-option heart
patients, and one in impaired wound healing of the skin. Additionally,
the company has completed pre-clinical studies in animal models of
peripheral artery disease of the legs and stroke recovery. A foreign
proof-of-concept clinical trial relating to chronic back pain believed
to be caused by impaired or blocked lumbar arteries has also been
initiated.
Cardio Vascu-Grow™ is a trademark of
CardioVascular BioTherapeutics, Inc.
This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks
and uncertainties. Actual results and outcomes may differ materially
from those discussed or anticipated. For example, statements regarding
expectations for new research, progress with clinical trials or future
business initiatives are forward-looking statements. Factors that might
affect actual outcomes include, but are not limited to, results of
future clinical and pre-clinical trials, differences in patient
outcomes, FDA approval of CVBT drug candidates, market acceptance of
CVBT products by customers, new developments in the industry, future
revenues, future expenses, future margins, cash usage and financial
performance. For a more detailed discussion of these and associated
risks, see the company's most recent documents filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
