VIA Pharmaceuticals Announces Positive Phase 2 Results of VIA-2291 in Cardiovascular Patients Using Serial MDCT Imaging of Coron...( Data Presented at American Heart Asso...),Health

Data Presented at American Heart Association ATVB Conference Shows Reduction in Non-Calcified Plaque Volume and Fewer New Plaque Lesions in Treated Patients

WASHINGTON and SAN FRANCISCO, May 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- VIA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: VIAP) today announced the results of a sub-study of patients in its acute coronary syndrome (ACS) Phase 2 trial who received serial 64 slice multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) scans before and after six months of treatment with its lead drug, VIA-2291, an inhibitor of leukotrienes, proposed mediators of vascular inflammation. Results were presented in a poster session at the American Heart Association Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology (ATVB) Annual Conference 2009 in Washington, D.C. by Jean-Claude Tardif MD, of the Montreal Heart Institute, and Dr. Rebecca Taub, VIA's Senior Vice President - Research & Development.

Of 191 patients enrolled in the first 12 weeks of the ACS trial, over 85 elected to continue in the study for an additional 12 weeks, receiving either placebo or VIA-2291 on top of current standard medical care. Each of these patients received an MDCT scan at baseline and at 24 weeks. Evaluable scans from patients treated with placebo showed significantly more evidence of new plaque lesions at follow-up than VIA-2291 treated patients. MDCT scans of patients with low density plaques demonstrated statistically significant, lower plaque volumes in combined VIA treated groups compared to placebo. Together these results suggest that VIA-2291 may reduce the progression of unstable coronary plaques that lead to heart attacks and stroke.

Despite advances in treatment, cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of death and disability in the United States and the world. Emerging research points to the potential for inflammation
'/>"/>