Microsoft word - servier advance press release.doc

Release is embargoed until 11.18 (CET) on 2 September 2007
Major ADVANCE for type 2 diabetics
Blood Pressure lowering drug Preterax saves lives in type 2 diabetics
VIENNA, Austria, 2 September 2007 – The routine administration of a fixed combination of perindopril and
indapamide (Preterax) improves survival and reduces coronary and renal events in diabetics, according to the
results of the blood pressure–lowering arm of the landmark, five year ADVANCE (Action in Diabetes and
Vascular Disease: Preterax and Diamicron MR Control ed Evaluation) study presented today at the European
Society of Cardiology (ESC) meeting and published online in The Lancet.
ADVANCE is the first and largest trial ever performed with a fixed combination antihypertensive in type 2
diabetic patients. The multicentre, randomised, placebo control ed study involved a total of 11 140 patients with
type 2 diabetes from 20 countries worldwide. Patients included were both normotensive and hypertensive and
were already receiving most of the usual treatments provided to patients with diabetes, including other blood
pressure lowering drugs.
ADVANCE showed that Preterax significantly reduces total mortality by 14% and the risk of cardiovascular
death by 18%. In absolute terms, one death would be avoided for every 79 patients treated with Preterax for
five years. In addition, patients receiving Preterax achieved a significant 14% reduction in total coronary events
and a 21% reduction in renal events. That means that one coronary event would be avoided for every 75
patients treated with Preterax for five years and one renal event would be avoided for every 20 patients treated
with Preterax for five years.
“The results of ADVANCE should have major implications for guidelines, clinical care and public policies”, says co-principal study organizer Professor Stephen MacMahon from The George Institute for International Health, Sydney Australia, and he adds "These results represent an important step forward in health care for the mil ions of people with diabetes worldwide. This treatment reduced the likelihood of dying from the complications of diabetes by almost one-fifth, with virtual y no side-effects.” Preterax was chosen for the ADVANCE trial for its efficacy in treating the alterations in both large arteries and the microcirculation which commonly occur in hypertensives and diabetics. Moreover, Preterax achieves a strong blood pressure lowering efficacy, specific benefits on cardiac perfusion and protection of the heart and kidney. Global y, there are approximately 250 mil ion people with diabetes, most of who wil eventual y be kil ed or disabled by the complications of their condition. The most common cause of death in people with diabetes is heart disease. Kidney disease also af ects a large proportion. In 2006, the United Nations issued a statement cal ing for increased international action to combat the global epidemic of diabetes. “Diabetes is emerging as one of the greatest 21st century threats to the health of populations worldwide. The health gains seen in the ADVANCE study have been obtained in addition to the benefits provided by patients’ existing treatment and if the benefits seen in ADVANCE were applied to just half the population with diabetes worldwide, more than a mil ion deaths would be avoided over 5 years…there is now a case for considering routine treatment with Preterax for patients with type 2 diabetes”, comments Professor John Chalmers, ADVANCE co-principal Investigator also from the George Institute for International Health. The ADVANCE study was initiated and designed by the investigators and co-sponsored by The George Institute for International Health and the University of Sydney, and Servier. A second arm of the study, that sets out to assess the risks and benefits of intensive glucose lowering using a gliclazide MR-based regimen (Diamicron MR) wil report later. Preterax and Diamicron MR are registered products of Servier.
For further information, please contact (insert name of contact)
www.advance-trial.com
Note for editors:
Perindopril / indapamide combinations are registered under the fol owing trade names: Preterax, BiPreterax, Preterax Forte, Biprel, Noliprel, Noliprel Forte, Prelectal, Prelectal forte, Predonium, Noriplel, Coversyl Plus, Coversyl Comp, Coversum Combi, Armix Comb, Prestarium Combi, Prestarium Plus. Reference:
1 Data presented at a hotline session of the European Society of Cardiology meeting 2 September 2007

Source: http://www.gulfpharmacistforum.net/admincp/pdf/ADVANCE%20PRESS%20RELEASE1550183081.pdf