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First New IV Antihypertensive Treatment Approved in Ten Years
PARSIPPANY, NJ, USA | Aug 04, 2008 | The Medicines Company (NASDAQ: MDCO) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the intravenous (IV) therapy Cleviprex(TM) (clevidipine butyrate) injectable emulsion for the reduction of blood pressure when oral therapy is not feasible or not desirable.
Cleviprex, a novel IV antihypertensive, represents an advancement over currently available therapies, providing rapid and precise control of blood pressure in the critical care setting. Backed by comprehensive data in the emergency department, operating room and intensive care unit, Cleviprex offers physicians an important new therapeutic option for the management of blood pressure.
"Recent clinical findings highlight the relationship between controlling acute blood pressure and lower risk of adverse outcomes," said Robert Califf, MD, Professor of Medicine and Vice Chancellor for Research, Duke University. "With the approval of Cleviprex, physicians have a new treatment option for intensive control of blood pressure that may advance the standard of care in the operating room, the intensive care unit and the emergency department."
Cleviprex has a rapid onset and offset of action and can be titrated for precise blood pressure control. Unlike many current IV antihypertensive agents, which are metabolized by the kidney and/or liver, Cleviprex is metabolized in the blood and tissues and does not accumulate in the body.
"In the last decade, there have been no new IV antihypertensive agents introduced to the market," said John Kelley, President and Chief Operating Officer of The Medicines Company. "Cleviprex presents physicians with a valuable option to effectively treat a broad array of patients who need rapid and precise blood pressure control."
"With the approval of Cleviprex, The Medicines Company continues to deliver on its vision of advancing innovation in the critical care setting," said Clive Meanwell, Chief Executive Officer of The Medicines Company.
Blood Pressure Management in Critical Care Settings
Poorly controlled blood pressure can be a life-threatening condition that can cause permanent damage to the brain, heart, kidneys and blood vessels. Poorly controlled blood pressure can occur in a broad range of patients; it is frequently found in patients undergoing surgery and in patients presenting in the emergency department.
About Cleviprex
Cleviprex is the latest-generation IV dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker. The first-cycle U.S. approval of Cleviprex was based on six Phase III trials involving 1,406 patients medical and surgical patients treated with Cleviprex. All Phase III trials met all of their primary endpoints. Cleviprex may produce systemic hypotension and reflex tachycardia. The most common adverse reactions (greater than 2%) seen with Cleviprex are headache, nausea and vomiting. Please see full prescribing information available at www.cleviprex.com.
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About The Medicines Company
The Medicines Company (NASDAQ: MDCO) is focused on advancing the treatment of critical care patients through the delivery of innovative, cost-effective medicines to the worldwide hospital marketplace. The Company markets Angiomax(R) (bivalirudin) in the United States and other countries for use in patients undergoing coronary angioplasty, as well as Cleviprex(TM) (clevidipine butyrate) injectable emulsion in the United States for the reduction of blood pressure when oral therapy is not feasible or not desirable. The Company also has one product, cangrelor, in late-stage development. The Company's website is www.themedicinescompany.com.
SOURCE: The Medicines Company |
