PARSIPPANY, NJ and NEW YORK, NY, Dec 22, 2009 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- In the news release, "The Medicines Company Acquires ApoA-I Milano
From Pfizer," issued earlier today by The Medicines Company (NASDAQ:
MDCO), we are advised by the company that the Domestic Dial In number
for the Wednesday, December 23 conference call should be 866-825-1709
rather than 866-285-1709 as originally issued. Complete corrected
text follows.
The Medicines Company Acquires ApoA-I Milano From Pfizer
Product Has Potential to Reverse Plaque Buildup in Arteries
PARSIPPANY, NJ and NEW YORK, NY -- December 22, 2009 -- The Medicines
Company (NASDAQ: MDCO) today announced the exclusive worldwide
licensing of ApoA-I Milano from Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE). ApoA-I
Milano is a naturally occurring variant of a protein found in human
high-density lipoprotein (HDL) that has the potential to reverse
atherosclerotic plaque development and reduce the risk of coronary
events in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).
Under the terms of the agreement, Pfizer will receive an up-front
payment of $10 million for ApoA-I Milano and will receive additional
payments upon the achievement of certain clinical, regulatory and
sales milestones up to a total of $410 million. Pfizer will also be
eligible to receive single-digit royalty payments on worldwide net
sales of ApoA-I Milano. The Medicines Company will also pay $7.5
million to third parties.
"The acquisition of ApoA-I Milano provides The Medicines Company with
a significant asset that fits well within our current areas of
business," said Clive Meanwell MD, PhD, Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of The Medicines Company. "By mimicking the actions of HDL,
ApoA-I Milano has been shown in an early clinical study, published in
JAMA, to rapidly reduce the size of atherosclerotic plaques. This is
an area of cardiovascular medicine that is not yet served by
currently available therapies -- and the potential to provide disease
modification for patients with high risk atheroma and associated
acute coronary syndromes represents a major innovation opportunity."
"We are very pleased to partner with The Medicines Company to advance
the ApoA-I Milano program as part of our strategy of out licensing
programs that Pfizer no longer pursues internally. The ApoA-I Milano
program has the potential to become a valuable and innovative
medicine for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. We look
forward to seeing it progress, thanks to The Medicines Company's
experience in conducting large clinical trials in cardiovascular
patients as well as their expertise in treating critical and
intensive care patients," said David K. Rosen DVM, Head of Out
Licensing for Pfizer Inc.
About ApoA-I Milano
ApoA-I Milano is a naturally occurring variant of apolipoproteinA-I
(ApoA-I), the main protein component of the HDL lipoprotein particle.
The variant has been found in approximately 45 individuals from Limone
sul Garda, a small village in northern Italy. Carriers of this variant
appear to have reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Patented by the
University of Milan and Pharmacia, ApoA-I Milano was licensed to
Esperion Therapeutics. Esperion was subsequently acquired by Pfizer in
2004. Since that time, Pfizer has moved development forward with
improvements to the original manufacturing process.
In multiple non-clinical models, ApoA-I Milano rapidly removed excess
cholesterol from artery walls, thereby stabilizing and regressing
atherosclerotic plaque. A phase I-II study in 36 patients
demonstrated statistically significant reductions on coronary plaque
volume by 4.2% in 6 weeks. These findings were published in the
Journal of the American Medical Association and continue to be widely
referenced and discussed.
The Medicines Company will host a conference call Wednesday, December
23, 2009 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. The conference call will be
available via phone and webcast. The dial in information is listed
below:
Domestic Dial In: 866-825-1709
International Dial In: 617-213-8060
Passcode for both dial in numbers: 31802183
Replay is available from 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time following the
conference call through January 4, 2010. To hear a replay of the call,
dial 888-286-8010 (domestic) and 617-801-6888 (international).
Passcode for both dial in numbers is 58773912.
The webcast and supporting slides can be accessed at The Medicines
Company's website at www.themedicinescompany.com.
About The Medicines Company
The Medicines Company (NASDAQ: MDCO) is focused on advancing the
treatment of critical care patients through the delivery of
innovative, cost-effective medicines to the worldwide hospital
marketplace. The Company markets Angiomax(R) (bivalirudin) in the
United States and other countries for use in patients undergoing
coronary angioplasty, and Cleviprex(R) (clevidipine butyrate)
injectable emulsion in the United States for the reduction of blood
pressure when oral therapy is not feasible or not desirable. The
Medicines Company's website is www.themedicinescompany.com.
Statements contained in this press release about The Medicines
Company that are not purely historical, and all other statements that
are not purely historical, may be deemed to be forward-looking
statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under The
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Without limiting
the foregoing, the words "believes," "anticipates" and "expects" and
similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking
statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and
unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the Company's actual
results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be
materially different from those expressed or implied by these
forward-looking statements. Important factors that may cause or
contribute to such differences include whether physicians, patients
and other key decision-makers will accept clinical trial results,
whether clinical trial results will warrant submission of
applications for regulatory approval, whether the Company's products
will advance in the clinical trials process on a timely basis or at
all, whether the Company will be able to obtain regulatory approvals,
whether we are able to obtain or maintain patent protection for the
intellectual property relating to the Company's products and such
other factors as are set forth in the risk factors detailed from time
to time in the Company's periodic reports and registration statements
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission including, without
limitation, the risk factors detailed in the Company's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 9, 2009, which are incorporated
herein by reference. The Company specifically disclaims any
obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
Contact:
Robyn Brown
The Medicines Company
Phone: (973) 290-6000
investor.relations@themedco.com
SOURCE: The Medicines Company
mailto:investor.relations@themedco.com
