Neptune Technologies & Bioressources Inc. Subsidiary Acasti Pharma Inc. Reports Superior Effect of Drug Candidate CaPre(TM) Over
September 22 2010 - 8:30AM
Neptune Technologies & Bioressources Inc. ("Neptune")
(Nasdaq:NEPT) (TSX-V:NTB) subsidiary Acasti Pharma Inc. reports
preclinical results showing that its leading drug candidate CaPre™,
performed better than the currently marketed drug, Lovaza®, by
increasing the HS-Omega-3 Index® 105% more. The index
measures an emerging risk factor for sudden death from coronary
heart disease.
The results of the present preclinical study indicate that on a
per gram basis [total eicosapentaenoic acid ("EPA") and
docosahexaenoic acid ("DHA")], CaPre™ scored 105% higher than
Lovaza® on the HS-Omega-3 Index®; CaPre™ increased the index by 63%
versus a 31% increase by Lovaza®. More specifically, per gram
of EPA content, CaPre™ increased the HS-Omega-3 Index® by 103%
compared to 55% by Lovaza® and on a per gram of DHA, CaPre™
increased the HS-Omega-3 Index® by 161% compared to 69%; scoring
respectively 86% and 134% higher than Lovaza®.
Healthy adult male rats were treated daily with either 1g CaPre™
or 4g Lovaza® human equivalent doses. After two months of
treatment, the HS-Omega-3 Index® was measured using technology
developed by an independent U.S.-based laboratory lead by an
internationally recognized expert on omega-3 fatty acids. The
HS-Omega-3 Index® is measured in red blood cells and is expressed
as a percentage of EPA + DHA of total fatty acids.
"These results indicate that CaPre™ may be more effective than
Lovaza® in improving HS-Omega-3 Index®, a scientifically accepted
coronary heart disease risk factor" said Dr. Bruno Battistini,
Senior Director, Pharmaceutical R&D. "Considering that a
unit increase of the HS-Omega-3 Index® is associated with about a
40% lower risk for sudden cardiac death (C. Albert et. al., NEJM,
2002), the current data suggest that a low dose of CaPre™ may help
to prevent this condition and other heart-related morbidities."
Lovaza® is the only FDA approved prescription fish oil solely
indicated for the treatment of severe hypertriglyceridemia (very
high triglycerides >500mg/dl). According to market
research firm IMS Health, global sales of Lovaza® topped $1 billion
in 2009, with $758 million of those sales originating in the
U.S. GlaxoSmithKline PLC (NYSE:GSK) acquired the USA rights
to Lovaza® by its acquisition of Reliant Pharmaceuticals Inc. in
2007 for $1.65 billion.
"It is noteworthy that one gram per day omega-3 of Acasti drug
candidate CaPre™ has potentially better beneficial effects than
Lovaza®, as indicated by the present increase in the HS-Omega-3
Index®. These results, along with previously reported
beneficial lipid-management effects of CaPreTM, repeatedly shown to
significantly reduce triglycerides and LDL (bad cholesterol) while
increasing HDL (good cholesterol), suggest that Acasti's
prescription drug candidate CaPre™ potentially offers more complete
lipid management in dyslipidemic patients than presently existing
options," said Dr. Tina Sampalis, President of Acasti.
According to the American Heart Association's Heart Disease and
Stroke Statistics, 2010 update, an estimated 81 million American
adults (more than one in three) have one or more types of
cardiovascular disease. Of these, 38 million are estimated to
be age 60 or older and 17.6 million involve coronary heart
disease.
About Neptune Technologies & Bioressources
Inc.
Neptune is an industry-recognized leader in the innovation,
production and formulation of science-based and clinically proven
novel phospholipid products for the nutraceutical and
pharmaceutical markets. The Company focuses on growing
consumer health markets including cardiovascular, inflammatory and
neurological diseases driven by consumers taking a more proactive
approach to managing health and preventing disease. The
Company sponsors clinical trials aimed to demonstrate its product
health benefits and to obtain regulatory approval for label health
claims. Neptune is continuously expanding its intellectual
property portfolio as well as clinical studies and regulatory
approvals. Neptune's products are marketed and distributed in
over 20 countries worldwide.
About Acasti Pharma Inc.
Acasti Pharma is developing a product portfolio of proprietary
novel long-chain omega-3 phospholipids. Phospholipids are the
major component of cell membranes and are essential for all vital
cell processes. They are one of the principal constituents of
High Density Lipoprotein (good cholesterol) and, as such, play an
important role in modulating cholesterol efflux. Acasti
Pharma's proprietary novel phospholipids carry and functionalize
the polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, which have
been shown to have substantial health benefits and which are
stabilized by potent antioxidants. Acasti Pharma is focusing
initially on treatments for chronic cardiovascular conditions
within the over-the-counter, medical food and prescription drug
markets.
About NeuroBioPharm Inc.
NeuroBioPharm is pursuing pharmaceutical neurological
applications, and a clinical study for a medical food product with
a multinational partner is already initiated. The development
of a prescription drug candidate is currently in progress.
Advanced clinical development and commercialization is planned to
be carried out with multinational partners.
"Neither Nasdaq nor the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation
Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the
TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or
accuracy of this release."
Statements in this press release that are not statements of
historical or current fact constitute "forward-looking statements"
within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995 and Canadian securities laws. Such
forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties, and other unknown factors that could cause the
actual results of the Company to be materially different from
historical results or from any future results expressed or implied
by such forward-looking statements. In addition to statements which
explicitly describe such risks and uncertainties, readers are
urged to consider statements labeled with the terms "believes,"
"belief," "expects," "intends," "anticipates," "will," or
"plans" to be uncertain and forward-looking. The forward-looking
statements contained herein are also subject generally to other
risks and uncertainties that are described from time to time in the
Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
and the Canadian securities commissions.
CONTACT: Neptune Technologies & Bioressources Inc.
Andre Godin, V.P. Administration and Finance
+1 450.687.2262
a.godin@neptunebiotech.com
www.neptunebiotech.com
Howard Group
Bob Beaty
+1 403.410.6020
bob@howardgroupinc.com
www.howardgroupinc.com
Acasti Pharma Inc.
Tina Sampalis, President
+1 450.686.4555 (ext: 403)
t.sampalis@acastipharma.com
www.acastipharma.com
CEOcast, Inc.
Dan Schustack
+1 212.732.4300
dschustack@ceocast.com
www.ceocast.com
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