PreMD Reports Positive Interim Results from PREPARE Study
13 July 2006 - 12:39AM
PR Newswire (US)
TORONTO, July 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Predictive medicine
company PreMD Inc. (TSX: PMD; Amex: PME) today announced interim
results from the PREPARE (PREVU(x) Predicts Atherosclerosis Risk
and Events) study, which is being conducted in the life insurance
industry with selected U.S. life insurers using PREVU(x) LT Skin
Sterol Test. "The preliminary data on PREVU(x) LT demonstrates
statistically significant relationships and is supportive of the
study's primary objective," said Dr. Brent Norton, President and
Chief Executive Officer of PreMD. "As a result, the study will
conclude at the end of this month with approximately 13,000
subjects enrolled. We are moving quickly to complete full data
collection and analysis from the study and are working with McNeil
Consumer Healthcare to finalize the regulatory and marketing
strategies for PREVU(x) LT in 2006." About PREVU(x) Skin Sterol
Test PREVU(x) non-invasively measures the amount of cholesterol
(sterol) that has accumulated in the skin tissues, as opposed to
blood. There is no fasting or other patient preparation required
for the test. PREVU(x) LT collects skin cells from the palm of the
hand painlessly in seconds using a specially designed adhesive
strip, which is then sent to a laboratory where the amount of skin
sterol is determined. Clinical studies have shown that as
cholesterol accumulates on artery walls it also accumulates in
other tissues, including the skin. High levels of skin sterol are
correlated with higher incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD).
The lead product in this family, PREVU(x) Point of Care (POC) Skin
Sterol Test, is cleared for sale and currently available to medical
professionals in Canada, the U.S. and Europe. About PreMD PreMD
Inc. is a world leader in predictive medicine, dedicated to
developing rapid, non-invasive tests for the early detection of
life-threatening diseases. PreMD's cardiovascular products, which
are branded as PREVU(x) Skin Sterol Test, are licensed worldwide to
McNeil Consumer Healthcare. The company's cancer tests include
ColorectAlert(TM), LungAlert(TM) and a breast cancer test. PreMD's
head office is located in Toronto, and its research and product
development facility is at McMaster University in Hamilton,
Ontario. For further information, please visit
http://www.premdinc.com/. For more information about PREVU(x),
please visit http://www.prevu.com/ or call 1-866-283-8328 (North
America) or 00-800-8283-8328 (Europe), or email . This news release
contains forward-looking statements, including the Company's
expectations related to PREVU(x) LT Skin Sterol Test and the
results of the PREPARE clinical study, and the Company's belief as
to the commercial potential of PREVU(x) LT in the life insurance
industry. The scientific information discussed in this news release
related to PREVU(x) LT is preliminary. PREVU(x) LT is not approved
by regulatory authorities. Known and unknown risks and
uncertainties that could cause the Company's actual results to
differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements also
include, among others: the successful and timely completion of
clinical studies; the successful development or marketing of the
Company's products and the competitiveness of the Company's
products if successfully commercialized; whether reimbursement for
the Company's products will be available and the potential impact
of reimbursement policies imposed by third-party payers on the
development, usage and pricing of the Company's products; the lack
of operating profit and availability of funds and resources to
pursue R&D projects and clinical trials; product liability; the
Company's reliance on third-party manufacturers; the ability of the
Company to take advantage of business opportunities; uncertainties
related to the Company's presentation of data to regulatory
authorities and the approval of marketing applications by
regulatory authorities; and general changes in economic conditions.
In addition, while the Company routinely obtains patents for its
products and technology, the protection offered by the Company's
patents and patent applications may be challenged, invalidated or
circumvented by its competitors and there can be no guarantee of
the Company's ability to obtain or maintain patent protection for
its products or product candidates. Investors should consult the
Company's quarterly and annual filings with the Canadian and U.S.
securities commissions for additional information on risks and
uncertainties relating to the forward-looking statements. Investors
are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. The
Company is providing this information as of the date of this news
release and does not undertake any obligation to update any
forward-looking statements contained in this news release as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise. (x)
Trademark DATASOURCE: PreMD Inc. CONTACT: Sarah Borg-Olivier,
Director, Communications, Tel: (416) 222-3449 ext. 27, Email:
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