Data From ASCOT Study Including Perindopril to Be Presented

Data from the Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial (ASCOT) will be presented as a late breaking clinical trial at the American College of Cardiology Scientific Sessions 2005 March 8 in Orlando, Fla.

The trial evaluated the effectiveness of a treatment regimen with the calcium channel blocker amlodipine and the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor perindopril compared to a treatment regimen with the beta blocker atenolol and the diuretic bendroflumethiazide in the reduction of cardiovascular events. In December 2004, ASCOT was stopped early by the study's steering committee because of significant benefits observed in the amlodipine plus perindopril arm of the study.

In the U.S., perindopril is marketed under the brand Aceon. CV Therapeutics and Solvay Pharmaceuticals recently entered into a co-promotion agreement for Aceon, an ACE inhibitor with tissue activity approved in the U.S. for the treatment of patients with essential hypertension. In Europe, perindopril is marketed under the brand Coversyl.