Astellas Launches Lexiscan(TM) (Regadenoson) Injection for Use as a Pharmacologic Stress Agent in Radionuclide Myocardial Perfusion Ima...( -First A2A Adenosine Receptor Agon...)

-First A2A Adenosine Receptor Agonist Approved for Use in Identifying

Coronary Artery Disease-

DEERFIELD, Ill., June 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Astellas Pharma US, Inc. today announced the commercial availability of Lexiscan(TM) (regadenoson) injection, an A2A adenosine receptor agonist, for use as a pharmacologic stress agent in radionuclide MPI -- a test that detects and characterizes coronary artery disease -- in patients unable to undergo adequate exercise stress. Lexiscan, co-developed with CV Therapeutics (Nasdaq: CVTX), is the first A2A adenosine receptor agonist shown to be safe and effective as a pharmacologic stress agent in MPI studies. The A2A adenosine receptor subtype is primarily responsible for coronary vasodilation.

"Our clinical experience shows that an increasing number of patients are requiring pharmacologic stress agents for MPI studies," said Gregory Thomas, M.D., Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine and Director of Nuclear Cardiology Education at the University of California at Irvine School of Medicine. "Lexiscan will be an important option in helping to ensure proper diagnosis of coronary artery disease in these patients."

MPI tests, commonly called cardiac stress tests, identify areas of poor blood flow in the heart to determine the extent of coronary artery disease, a condition that affects 16 million Americans and is responsible for more than 450,000 deaths annually in the United States. Many patients exercise on a treadmill to generate the increase in coronary blood flow necessary to perform an MPI study. However, almost half of patients undergoing cardiac stress tests each year are unable to exercise adequately because of medical conditions. For these patients, a ph
'/>"/>