New Analyses Demonstrate Positive Effect on Bone With FOSRENOL(R) Treatment Compared With Standard Therapy
 
 
BN003644  20 de novembro de 2006  11:32 HORALOCAL


Further data support the contribution of FOSRENOL(R) (lanthanum 
carbonate) to the overall renal health of the ESRD patient while 
reducing mean phosphate levels to within guideline targets

    BASINGSTOKE, England and SAN DIEGO, Nov. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- New data 
presented on Friday 17th November at the American Society of 
Nephrology (ASN) Annual Meeting, show FOSRENOL is an effective 
phosphate binder with a similar efficacy profile to standard 
therapy(1). The 2 year data demonstrate that patients treated with 
FOSRENOL showed similar phosphate control and lower serum calcium 
levels than standard therapy. Treatment with FOSRENOL for 2 years had 
no adverse effects on bone histology and was not associated with an 
increased incidence of osteomalacia (bone softening). More patients 
treated with FOSRENOL also demonstrated increases in bone formation 
rate than patients receiving standard therapy(1). 
    Professor Hartmut Malluche, lead investigator of the study, said 
'Patients with end-stage renal disease are seriously ill and the 
burden of their illness is often compounded by co-existing 
conditions. They can experience significant bone problems as a result 
of hyperphosphataemia, which can sometimes be exacerbated by their 
treatment for the condition. These data show that FOSRENOL not only 
effectively controls hyperphosphataemia, but also demonstrates some 
positive effects on bone status compared with standard therapy over 
the 2 year study period.'
    During year two, a greater proportion of patients in the standard 
therapy group showed movement of bone volume away from the normal 
range compared with the FOSRENOL group (50 percent versus 31 
percent).  Similarly, improvements toward normal bone formations rates 
were seen in 38 percent of patients receiving FOSRENOL at both one 
and two years.  Patients in the standard therapy group showed 
improvements of only 24 and 12 percent at one and two years, and bone 
formation worsened in 63 percent of the patients in the two-year 
group(1). The results were not measured for statistical significance. 

    FOSRENOL's therapeutic profile is further reinforced by the 
publication of new cognitive function data in Kidney International 
this month(2). This data assessed the comparative cognitive decline 
in dialysis patients taking FOSRENOL and standard therapy to control 
phosphate levels. Cognitive decline is a significant problem in this 
population and it is important that any treatment does not affect 
this further. These long term two year data show that FOSRENOL does 
not adversely affect the decline of cognitive function compared to 
standard therapy(2). There is a paucity of evidence looking at 
cognitive function in this patient population and this study provides 
important additional insight into the overall decline in cognitive 
function in these patients.
    Dr Raymond Pratt, Vice President Shire Pharmaceutical Development, 
said: 'These results further add to the robust body of evidence on 
FOSRENOL, with studies successfully conducted in more than 5,500 
patients, and with a small number followed for up to 6 years now. 
Shire is proud of this comprehensive data which support the benefits 
FOSRENOL can bring to patients with CKD on dialysis.' 
    These studies are promising news for the estimated 1.4 million people 
on dialysis worldwide(3) who are at risk from the serious 
consequences of hyperphosphataemia, shown to be associated with 
long-term morbidity and mortality(4). The majority of CKD patients 
will eventually develop hyperphosphataemia(5) which, if not managed 
successfully, may cause serious long-term health risks including 
renal osteodystrophy (resulting in bone pain, brittle bones and 
skeletal deformities)(6), and potentially contribute to 
cardiovascular disease, which accounts for almost half of all deaths 
among dialysis patients(7,8). As a result, patients on dialysis are 
often already taking as many as eight or nine different 
medications(9). As FOSRENOL is associated with a lower tablet burden 
than existing phosphate binders (as few as one pill per meal), it may 
offer simplified dosing for these patients(10).
    FOSRENOL has been available in the US for 22 months with over 53,000 
patients receiving Fosrenol since launch. The first European launches 
took place at the end of 2005 and Shire continues to bring Fosrenol 
to market around the world across this year and into 2007, subject to 
national licensing, pricing and reimbursement negotiations. 

    References
    (1)  Malluche HH, Pratt RD. Renal osteodystrophy: Comparison of 
evolution over 1 and 2 years during treatment with lanthanum 
carbonate or standard phosphate binders. Presented at ASN Renal Week, 
San Diego, November 14-19 2006.
    (2)  Altman P, Barnett ME, Finn WF. Cognitive function in stage 5 CKD 

patients on hemodialysis: no adverse effects of lanthanum carbonate 
compared with standard phosphate-binder therapy. Kidney Int advance 
online publication, October 11, 2006
    (3)  Grassman A, Gioberge S, Moeller S, Brown G. ESRD patients in 
2004: global overview of patient numbers, treatment modalities and 
associated trends. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2005; 20: 2587-2593.
    (4)  Block G, Klassen PS, Lazarus MJ,  Ofsthun N, Lowrie EG, Chertow 
GM. Mineral metabolism, mortality, and morbidity in maintenance 
         hemodialysis. J Am Soc Nephrol 2004; 15:2208-18. 
    (5)  Lederer E, Ouseph R, Erbeck K. Hyperphosphataemia. 
www.emedicine.com/med/topic1097.html . Accessed 23-Mar-06.
    (6)  Martin K, Gonzalez A. Strategies to minimize bone disease in 
renal failure. Am J Kidney Dis 2001; 38: 1430-36
    (7)  Salusky IB, Goodman WG. Cardiovascular calcification in 
end-stage renal disease. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2002; 17: 336-339.
    (8)  Block G, Port FK. Re-evaluation of risks associated with 
hyperphosphataemia and hyperparathyroidism in dialysis patients: 
recommendations for a change in management. Am J Kidney Dis 2000; 35 
(6): 1226-1237. 
    (9)  United States Renal Data System. Medication use among dialysis 
patients in DMMS. Am J Kidney Dis 1998; 32 (2) Suppl 1 (August): 
S60-68.
    (10) Mehrotra R. Efficacy and safety of reformulated higher dosage 
lanthanum carbonate. Presented at ASN Renal Week, San Diego, November 
14-19 2006.

    Notes to editors:
    Managing Hyperphosphataemia 
    Phosphorus, an element found in nearly all foods, is absorbed from 
the gastrointestinal tract into the blood stream.  When the kidneys 
fail, they no longer effectively filter out phosphates, even with the 
help of blood-cleansing dialysis machines.  While the normal adult 
range for phosphorus is 2.5 (0.8mmol/L) to 4.5 mg/dL (1.4mmol/L), the 
blood phosphorus levels of many patients on dialysis exceed 6.5 mg/dL 
(2.1mmol/L). Such levels have been linked to a significantly higher 
illness and death risk for patients who have undergone at least one 
year of dialysis(i). Most dialysis patients develop 
hyperphosphataemia.
    Hyperphosphataemia disrupts the delicate interplay between the body's 
levels of calcium, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and vitamin D.  Over 
time, hyperphosphataemia can ultimately lead to calcification of the 
heart, lung and some arteries(ii).  Accumulating evidence shows that 
hyperphosphataemia contributes to cardiovascular disease, which 
accounts for almost half of all deaths among dialysis patients(iii).  
In fact, studies have shown that cardiovascular mortality in dialysis 
patients aged 25-34 years is more than 5 times greater than that in 
people aged 65-74 in the general population(iv).
    Since dialysis and diet restrictions alone generally cannot control 
phosphate levels, patients traditionally manage hyperphosphataemia by 
taking phosphate binding agents with every meal and snack.  Such 
binders "soak up" phosphate in the gastrointestinal tract, before it 
can be absorbed into the blood.  

    FOSRENOL(R) (lanthanum carbonate)
    FOSRENOL(R) works by binding to dietary phosphate in the GI tract; 
once bound, the lanthanum/phosphate complex cannot pass through the 
intestinal lining into the blood stream and is eliminated from the 
body.  As a consequence, overall phosphate absorption from the diet 
is decreased significantly. Shire has conducted an extensive clinical 
research programme for FOSRENOL involving over 5500 patients, with a 
small number followed for up to 6 years now. This programme has 
demonstrated that FOSRENOL is an effective phosphate binder with a 
good tolerability profile for long-term use.  FOSRENOL was approved 
by the FDA in October 2004 and is now available for prescription in 
the US. In March 2005 regulatory authorities in the EU granted 
marketing authorization for FOSRENOL in sixteen member states, thus 
completing the first step in securing marketing approval throughout 
Europe.  FOSRENOL has since been launched in Ireland, Sweden, 
Finland, Denmark and Austria.  The final step in the European process 
was recently completed resulting in recommendation for approval in 
the remaining 11 member states. Further roll-outs are underway across 
the rest of Europe and other countries around the world. The company 
has out-licensed the rights to develop, market and sell FOSRENOL in 
Japan to Bayer Yakuhin Ltd.    
    Patients with renal insufficiency may develop hypocalcaemia.  Serum 
calcium levels should therefore be monitored at regular time 
intervals for this patient population and appropriate supplements 
given.
    No data are available in patients with severe hepatic impairment.  
Caution should, therefore, be exercised in these patients, as 
elimination of absorbed lanthanum may be reduced.
    FOSRENOL should not be used during pregnancy.
    Patients with acute peptic ulcer, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease 
or bowel obstruction were not included in clinical studies with 
Fosrenol.
    The most commonly reported Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) (>1/100, 
1/10) are gastrointestinal reactions such as abdominal pain, 
constipation, diarrhoea, dyspepsia, flatulence, nausea and vomiting.  
These are minimized by taking FOSRENOL with food and generally abated 
with time with continued dosing.  Hypocalcaemia was the only other 
commonly reported adverse reaction.

    Shire 
    Shire is a global specialty pharmaceutical company with a strategic 
focus on meeting the needs of the specialist physician and currently 
focuses on developing and marketing products in the areas of 
attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), gastrointestinal 
(GI), renal diseases and human genetic therapies.  Shire has 
operations in the world's key pharmaceutical markets (US, Canada, UK, 
France, Italy, Spain and Germany) as well as a specialist drug 
delivery unit in the US.
    For further information on Shire, please visit the Company's website: 
www.shire.com .

    (i)   Block GA et al. Association of serum phosphorus and calcium x 
phosphate product with mortality risk in chronic hemodialysis 
patients: A national study. American Journal of Kidney Diseases 1998; 
31: 607-617
    (ii)  Norris KC. Toward a new treatment paradigm for 
hyperphosphataemia in chronic renal disease. Dialysis & 
Transplantation 1998; 27 (12):  767-773	
    (iii) Block G, Port FK. Re-evaluation of risks associated with 
          hyperphosphataemia and hyperparathyroidism in dialysis patients: 
recommendations for a change in management. Am J Kidney Dis 2000; 35 
(6): 1226-1237
    (iv)  Foley R et al. Clinical epidemiology of cardiovascular disease 
in chronic renal disease. American Journal of Kidney Disease 1998; 32 
(5) Suppl 3:112-119

SOURCE  Shire PLC
                              11/20/2006
    CONTACT:  Media, Jessica Mann, +44-1256-894-280, or Investor 
Relations, Clea Rosenfeld, +44-1256-894-160, both of Shire; or Glen 
Halliwell,  +44-207-397-7479, or Julia Kirby, +44-79-6617-2179 (on 
site), both of Resolute Communications 
Web site: http://www.shire.com



BNED: NG

FONTE:    PR NEWSWIRE LATIN AMERICA
          CORAL GABLES - MIAMI-US
CONTATOS: USA-MARY D'LEON
          BRASIL-NÉLIA GARCIA
TELS:     USA:1-201-360-6540/BRASIL:55-21-2132-8461
FAXES:    USA:1-201-360-6593/BRASIL:55-21-2132-8469
E-MAILS:  nelia_garcia@prnewswire.com.br mary_dleon@prnewswire.com

PALAVRA-CHAVE:  RJ
PALAVRA-CHAVE/RAMO DE ATIVIDADE: SAÚDE
PALAVRA-CHAVE/EMPRESA: SHIRE PLC