PreMD Announces FDA Decision on POC Skin Cholesterol Test
16 January 2008 - 1:59AM
PR Newswire (US)
Company to Immediately Address FDA Ruling TORONTO, Jan. 15
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Predictive medicine company PreMD Inc.
(TSX: PMD; Amex: PME) announced today that it has received a
non-substantially equivalent (NSE) letter from the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the 510(k) submission for an
expanded regulatory claim on its point-of-care (POC) skin
cholesterol test. The company expects to evaluate its options as
part of the plans to address this issue. "We are very disappointed
with this decision by the FDA regarding our 510(k) submission. We
believe we have provided adequate information to support clearance
and continue to believe that our product merits clearance by the
FDA," said Brent Norton, president and chief executive officer of
PreMD. "The company is pursuing the next steps in addressing the
decision and we will work through the process as expeditiously as
possible. We continue to believe that this test fulfills a need for
screening asymptomatic patients for risk of cardiovascular disease.
Furthermore, our recent clinical achievements such as our
presentation at the American Heart Association and scheduled
publication in the American Journal of Cardiology for April show
that we are supported in our belief of the strength of our product.
The company has adequate cash to support operations through the
near term. However, we will continue to evaluate and decrease
spending throughout the organization to ensure our ability to
execute the necessary tasks." The FDA's primary grounds for
rejecting the claim relate to the clinical utility of evaluating
skin cholesterol with carotid wall intima thickness (CIMT) as the
clinical endpoint. PreMD submitted the 510(k) application to the
FDA in June 2007 based on a study design that was previously
accepted as appropriate by the FDA. Subsequently, the FDA requested
additional information regarding statistical clarification on the
data submitted. The company promptly provided the information
requested and believes that it addressed those concerns to the best
capabilities of the company. PreMD was not aware of the FDA's issue
or concerns from previous discussions. About PreMD Inc. PreMD Inc.
is a leader in predictive medicine, dedicated to developing rapid,
non-invasive tests for the early detection of life-threatening
diseases. PreMD's cardiovascular products include a line of
non-invasive skin cholesterol tests, planned to be marketed and
distributed by AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals. PreMD's other skin
cholesterol products include PREVU(x) LT, a skin cholesterol test
designed for use in the life insurance industry. The company's
cancer tests include ColorectAlert(TM), LungAlert(TM) and a breast
cancer test. PreMD's head office is located in Toronto, Ontario and
its research and product development facility is at McMaster
University in Hamilton, Ontario. For more information about PreMD,
please visit http://www.premdinc.com/. This press release contains
forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and
unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause the Company's
actual results to differ materially from those in the
forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include,
among others, the success of a plan for regaining compliance with
certain continued listing standards of the American Stock Exchange,
successful development or marketing of the Company's products, the
competitiveness of the Company's products if successfully
commercialized, the lack of operating profit and availability of
funds and resources to pursue R&D projects, the successful and
timely completion of clinical studies, product liability, reliance
on third-party manufacturers, the ability of the Company to take
advantage of business opportunities, uncertainties related to the
regulatory process, 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 our competitors and there can be no guarantee of
our ability to obtain or maintain patent protection for our
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.
PreMD is providing this information as of the date of this press
release and does not undertake any obligation to update any
forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise. (x)
Trademark DATASOURCE: PreMD Inc. CONTACT: Brent Norton, President
and CEO, Tel: (416) 222-3449 ext. 22, Email: ; Ron Hosking, Vice
President Finance and CFO, Tel: (416) 222-3449 ext. 24, Email: ;
Michelle Rabba, Manager, Corporate Communications, Tel: (416)
222-3449 ext. 25, Email:
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