NR - Patent on proprietary therapeutics
Medicure Broadens Proprietary Position
WINNIPEG, Manitoba - (July 23, 2002) - Medicure Inc. (TSX:MPH), a
cardiovascular company, is pleased to announce that it has received a Notice
of Allowance from the U.S. Patent Office for a composition of matter patent
covering several of the Company's newly discovered therapeutics for use in
treatment of several cardiovascular diseases, including thrombolytic
disorders and blood coagulation.
Thrombosis, which involves the formation of clots in the blood vessels, is
the major cause of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease. The Company'
s anti-thrombotic program addresses the unmet need in the prevention of
arterial thrombosis (angioplasty, unstable angina, coronary arterial bypass
graft, acute myocardial infarction and stroke). The global thrombosis market
is estimated at over $7.5 billion and is expected to continue to grow
rapidly. Medicure has focused its anti-thrombotic program on the design of
novel structures that inhibit platelet aggregation, which is one of the
causes of clot formation in the blood vessels, as well as Factor Xa
inhibition (the coagulation factor). This unique multi-targeted approach
will have a broader therapeutic profile.
"This patent, when issued, together with previously issued patents, further
highlights the strong intellectual property position of our drug discovery
program," stated Albert D. Friesen, PhD, President and CEO. "We are
extremely pleased with the additional scope of protection that this patent
will provide us with in the area of anti-thrombotics. Pre-clinical studies
have already confirmed the potential of these therapeutic candidates."
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 including the prevention and treatment of ischemia,
ischemic reperfusion injury, and stroke.
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks
and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from
the statements made. For this purpose, any statements that are contained
herein that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be
forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Without limiting the
foregoing, the words "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "intends," "will,"
"should," "expects," "projects," and similar expressions are intended to
identify forward-looking statements. You are cautioned that such statements
are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause
actual results, future circumstances, or events to differ materially from
those projected in the forward-looking statements. These risks include, but
are not limited to, those associated with the success of research and
development programs, the regulatory approval process, competition, securing
and maintaining corporate alliances, market acceptance of the Company's
products, the strength of intellectual property and financing capability,
and other risks detailed from time-to-time in the Company's public
disclosure documents or other filings with the Canadian and U.S. securities
commissions or other securities regulatory bodies. 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
Medicure Inc.
888-435-2220
204-488-9823 fax
info@medicureinc.com
www.medicureinc.com