Aterovax presents results of its sPLA2 activity test in the PEACE trial

Nov 17 2009

Aterovax SA, a company developing innovative products for atherosclerosis, today announced data demonstrating that its blood test for secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) activity significantly improves cardiovascular risk prediction in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) over a 5 year period, independent of established risk markers, including C-reactive protein. sPLA2 is in a family of pro-inflammatory enzymes linked to the formation and destabilization of atherosclerotic plaques. Aterovax’s sPLA2 activity test was used in 3778 patients in the PEACE (Prevention of Events with Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibition) trial and the results were presented at the American Heart Association’s annual scientific sessions.

“There is growing evidence that testing for sPLA2 activity may provide an additional layer of information that goes above and beyond traditional cardiovascular risk factors and biomarkers,” noted lead investigator in the study, Michelle O’Donoghue of the TIMI Study Group, Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.

“This study continues to support the role of sPLA2 activity as a prognostic tool for assessing cardiovascular risk,” Dominique Surun, CEO of Aterovax explained. “We believe our test for sPLA2 activity, once approved, could provide highly relevant information to help identify individuals who are at increased risk of cardiovascular events.”