VerifyNow(R) System Highlighted In POPular Study Comparing Platelet Reactivity Tests

Main Category: Cardiovascular / Cardiology
Also Included In: Clinical Trials / Drug Trials
Article Date: 20 Nov 2009 - 2:00 PST

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Accumetrics, Inc., developer of the VerifyNow System, the first point-of-care method for measuring platelet reactivity, announces that its market-leading VerifyNow P2Y12 Test was one of multiple methods evaluated in the POPular study, which was presented during a Late Breaking Clinical Trials session at the American Heart Association's annual Scientific Sessions. The VerifyNow P2Y12 Test is used to measure the antiplatelet effect of medications, such as clopidogrel (Plavix®), that reduce platelet reactivity by blocking the platelet P2Y12 receptor.

The POPular study is the first head-to-head comparison of multiple platelet function tests in predicting adverse events in patients undergoing elective coronary stenting. The study investigators mentioned that many of the tests for platelet reactivity evaluated in the study are either labor-intensive, have significant time constraints, or cannot be performed at the point-of-care. The investigators noted that the VerifyNow System does not have these limitations. The investigators also speculated that recent data may soon make platelet reactivity testing a routine clinical tool.

"We are at a time when much attention has been drawn to antiplatelet medications, such as Plavix, and understanding the variability in patients' response to these medications. For example, patients who use certain heartburn medications or patients with a specific genetic disposition may not receive the desired platelet inhibiting effect of Plavix. These are only two of the many factors that may contribute to the variability in response to these life-saving medications. The VerifyNow P2Y12 Test can assist physicians by providing a direct measure of the antiplatelet effect in each patient so they can make more informed treatment decisions," said Timothy Still, president and CEO of Accumetrics.

The VerifyNow System is widely used in various clinical settings where antiplatelet medications are prescribed to reduce the occurrence of future thrombotic events such as heart attack and stroke.

About Accumetrics

Accumetrics is committed to advancing medical understanding of platelet function and enhancing quality of care for patients receiving antiplatelet therapies by providing industry-leading and widely accessible diagnostic tests for rapid platelet function assessment.

Accumetrics' VerifyNow System is the first rapid and easy to use platform to help physicians determine an individual's response to multiple antiplatelet agents. Addressing every major antiplatelet drug, including aspirin, P2Y12 inhibitors [e.g. prasugrel (Effient(TM)) and clopidogrel (Plavix)], and GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors [e.g. abciximab (ReoPro®) and eptifibatide (Integrilin®)], the VerifyNow System provides a valuable tool to help physicians make more informed treatment decisions.

The Accumetrics logo and VerifyNow are registered trademarks of Accumetrics, Inc. ReoPro is a registered trademark of Centocor, Inc. Integrilin is a registered trademark of Millennium Pharmaceuticals. Plavix is a registered trademark of Sanofi-Aventis. Effient is a trademark of Eli Lilly and Company.

Source: Accumetrics, Inc