Neptune Technologies & Bioressources Inc. is a leading innovator of science-based and clinically proven novel products for the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical markets. The company’s subsidiary, Acasti Pharma Inc., focuses primarily on treatments for chronic cardiovascular conditions within the over-the-counter, medical food and prescription drug markets.
Acasti yesterday announced preclinical results demonstrating that its leading drug candidate CaPre™ outperformed the currently marketed Lovaza® by increasing HS-Omega-3 Index®.
Lovaza is the only FDA-approved prescription fish oil solely indicated for the treatment of severe hypertriglyceridemia, a case of high glycerides, which can also lead to pancreatitis.
The HS-Omega-3 Index measures an emerging risk factor for sudden death from coronary heart disease. The results of the study showed that on a per gram basis, CaPre scored 105 percent higher than Lovaza; CaPre increased the index by 63 percent versus a 31 percent increase by Lovaza; CaPre increased the HS-Omega-3 Index by 103 percent compared to 55 percent by Lovaza and on a per gram of DHA; CaPre increased the HS-Omega-3 Index by 161 percent compared to 69 percent; scoring respectively 86 percent and 134 percent higher than Lovaza.
“These results indicate that CaPremay be more effective than Lovaza in improving HS-Omega-3 Index, a scientifically accepted coronary heart disease risk factor” Dr. Bruno Battistini, senior director, Pharmaceutical R&D stated in the press release. “Considering that a unit increase of the HS-Omega-3 Index is associated with about a 40 percent lower risk for sudden cardiac death, current data suggests that a low dose of CaPre may help to prevent this condition and other heart-related morbidities.”
Dr. Tina Sampalis, president of Acasti, detailed the results of the study, and noted CaPre’s potential success over current treatments.
“It is noteworthy that one gram per day omega-3 of Acasti drug candidate CaPre has potentially better beneficial effects than Lovaza, as indicated by the present increase in the HS-Omega-3 Index. These results, along with previously reported beneficial lipid-management effects of CaPre, repeatedly shown to significantly reduce triglycerides and LDL (bad cholesterol) while increasing HDL (good cholesterol), suggest that Acasti’s prescription drug candidate CaPre potentially offers more complete lipid management in dyslipidemic patients than presently existing options,” Dr. Sampalis stated.
For more information visit www.neptunebiotech.com
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