Corgenix Medical Says New Study Further Establishes Concept Of "Aspirin Resistance"

Main Category: Pharma Industry / Biotech Industry
Also Included In: Stroke;  Blood / Hematology;  Cardiovascular / Cardiology
Article Date: 25 Jan 2008 - 15:00 PST

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Corgenix Medical Corporation (OTCBB:CONX) says a Canadian study published in the January 18, 2008, online BMJ (British Medical Journal) further establishes the concept of "aspirin resistance." The study showed that patients who are non responsive to the anti-clotting effects of aspirin are at much greater risk of heart attack, stroke and blood clots than patients who are sensitive to aspirin.

"This data confirms once again that over 25 percent of all patients taking aspirin do not respond to the drug," said Douglass Simpson, Corgenix' President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our AspirinWorks product is now perfectly positioned to assist the medical community in quickly, easily and accurately determining the effect of aspirin in patients."

The study, entitled "Aspirin 'resistance' and risk of cardiovascular morbidity: systematic review and meta-analysis," compiled information from 20 studies totaling almost 3,000 patients with cardiovascular disease. The article hypothesized that based on the available data and with compliance accurately accounted for, aspirin non response is real and is clinically relevant, leading to adverse cardiovascular outcomes.

"This is the crucial, potentially life-saving information that doctors and patients want and need to know," explained Corgenix' Clinical Affairs Director Gordon Ens. "Now that clinically significant variability in aspirin effect has been well-established, and patients can be informed of this possibility, the next logical step is for researchers to establish standardized protocols for treating patient populations non-responsive to the effects of aspirin."

The authors of the BMJ review are at Toronto General Hospital (Toronto, ON, Canada) and McMaster University (Hamilton, ON, Canada). To access the full article, go to here.

The authors concluded that patients who are resistant to aspirin are at a greater risk of clinically important cardiovascular morbidity and mortality long term than patients who are sensitive to aspirin. The data showed:

- 28 percent of patients who took aspirin do not respond to the drug

- Patients identified as "aspirin resistant" by the study had a fourfold increased risk of a cardiovascular event (such as heart attack, stroke or blood clot)

- A cardiovascular related event occurred in 41 percent of patients

- Aspirin resistant patients were six times as likely to die than aspirin sensitive patients

- Aspirin resistant patients did not benefit from other antiplatelet treatment

The study's authors strongly advised that "doctors continue their current practice in prescribing aspirin for chronic therapy to prevent adverse cardiovascular events as the overall risk reduction is well reported." However, the study also recommended that patients are fully informed about the possible adverse effects of (non response to) aspirin.

The AspirinWorks test was launched in the United States in June 2007 following FDA 510(k) clearance, and it is now available nationwide through major medical reference laboratories. The test measures the effect of aspirin on platelets through direct measurement of thromboxane production (aspirin's target). The stickier the blood platelets, the less impact the aspirin is having.

About AspirinWorks®

The AspirinWorks® Test Kit is an enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) to determine levels of 11-Dehydro Thromboxane B2 (11dhTxB2) in human urine, which aids in the qualitative detection of aspirin effect in apparently healthy individuals post ingestion. The product received clearance in May 2007 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for in vitro diagnostic use in the United States. Unlike other platelet aggregation tests, which require freshly drawn blood that must be evaluated within at least 4 hours, the AspirinWorks® test requires a urine sample that can easily be obtained in any doctor's office.

About Corgenix Medical Corporation

Corgenix is a leader in the development and manufacturing of specialized diagnostic kits for vascular diseases, immunology disorders, and bone and joint disorders. Corgenix diagnostic products are commercialized for use in clinical laboratories throughout the world. The company currently sells over 52 diagnostic products through a global distribution. More information is available at http://www.corgenix.com.

Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical facts are "forward looking" statements (identified by the words "believe", "estimate", "project", "expect" or similar expressions) within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements inherently involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Factors that would cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, continued acceptance of the Company's products and services in the marketplace, competitive factors, changes in the regulatory environment, and other risks detailed in the Company's periodic report filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The statements in this press release are made as of today, based upon information currently known to management, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.

Corgenix Medical Corporation