http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/224228.php
AtheroNova Inc. (OTCBB: AHRO) ("AtheroNova"), a biotech company focused on the research and development of compounds to regress atherosclerotic plaque, will pursue an additional indication to address significant unmet needs in stroke prevention with a compound to treat Intracranial atherosclerosis disease (ICAD), regarded as a primary cause of ischemic stroke.
Following an extensive review of the Company's proprietary anti-plaque compounds, published data on statistical disease trends, and ongoing research, AtheroNova's Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) has recommended the pursuit of an additional indication for the treatment and prevention of intracranial atherosclerosis disease.
Multiple studies have identified ICAD as a major public health problem, probably the major cause of stroke, and a main cause of long-term disability and mortality in the United States and throughout the world. Over 700,000 patients a year suffer a stroke in the United States with total costs exceeding $42 Billion. Recent studies have found ICAD to be widespread, with prevalence rising 3 to 5 times that of the general population in patients with subclinical undiagnosed atherosclerosis affecting other parts of the body including carotid, coronary or peripheral artery disease. There has been no medical consensus on best treatment for symptomatic ICAD, and no approved medications for the reduction of intracranial atherosclerotic plaques in any form of the disease.
ICAD has been reported to be a dynamic and aggressive disease with symptomatic patients exhibiting particularly high rates of recurrent strokes. Accumulating evidence also suggests that ICAD also contributes to the development of cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. One particular form of dementia, identified as "vascular dementia" has been linked to ICAD and represents approximately 20% of all cases of dementia with an estimated patient population of 1.7 million Americans in 2011. Additional 2011 data indicates over 5.4 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's and project a patient population of as many as 16 million by 2050. Total costs of care in 2011 are expected to exceed $153 billion, an increase of $11 billion over the prior year.
"Atherosclerotic plaque is the primary cause of coronary artery disease, but a rapidly growing body of evidence makes clear the atherosclerotic plaque is also a major cause of stroke and may play a role in the development of Alzheimer's disease, cognitive impairment and dementia," stated Thomas W. Gardner, CEO of AtheroNova. "The treatment of atherosclerosis as it applies to coronary disease presents a huge market opportunity. With an aging population and the lack of effective preventative treatments for ischemic stroke and Alzheimer's, the potential of our compounds to address the urgent unmet needs in these markets will allow us to address an additional rapidly growing market and will be an important part of our development program as we Prepare for Investigational New Drug (IND) filing expected later this year."
AtheroNova is currently conducting two second round pre-clinical studies evaluating the atherosclerotic plaque regression efficacy of the Company's compounds at two major research centers. Following the completion of the second round pre-clinical program expected during the third quarter of this year, the Company plans to continue the development program with an IND application for plaque regression compounds for the treatment of atheroslerosis.
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