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InterMune Announces Abstracts to Be Presented at The 70th Annual Meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians

Posted on: Wednesday, 20 October 2004, 07:00 CDT

BRISBANE, Calif., Oct. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- InterMune, Inc. announced today presentations scheduled to take place in scientific sessions at CHEST, the 70th Annual Meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) being held October 23-28, 2004 in Seattle, WA. The presentations focus on the safety and activity of Actimmune(R) (interferon gamma-1b) in treating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) as well as the appropriate methods for diagnosing IPF. The presentations are as follows:

Tuesday, October 26, 2004

Slide Pres #1064: 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

HRCT Diagnosis of IPF and Relationship Between HRCT

Characteristics and Histology and Clinical Findings

in Patients in a Phase 3, Randomized, Double-Blind,

Placebo-Controlled Trial of Interferon Gamma-1b

(IFN-gamma 1b)

Slide Pres #1037: 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Rates and Characteristics of Serious Adverse Events

(SAEs) in 210 Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary

Fibrosis (IPF) Treated with Interferon-Gamma 1b

(IFN-gamma 1b) in an Open-Label Study

Wednesday, October 27, 2004

Poster Pres #1011: 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Effect of Interferon-gamma 1b in Cellular Models of

Lung Fibrosis: Implications for the Treatment of

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)

About Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is the most common form of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, affecting approximately 83,000 people in the United States alone. Median survival time is two to five years after diagnosis in patients with IPF. Most cases of IPF are diagnosed between the ages of 40 and 70. Once symptoms appear, there is a relentless deterioration of pulmonary function. Early symptoms of IPF are usually similar to those of other lung diseases. Very often, for example, patients suffer from a dry cough and dyspnea (shortness of breath). As the disease progresses, dyspnea becomes the major problem. Day-to-day activities such as climbing stairs, walking short distances, dressing, and even talking on the phone and eating become more difficult and sometimes nearly impossible. The patient may also become less able to fight infection. IPF results in scarring, or fibrosis, of the lungs. There are currently no drugs approved by the FDA for the treatment of IPF.

About Actimmune(R) (interferon gamma-1b)

Interferon gamma is a naturally occurring protein that stimulates the immune system. InterMune markets Actimmune for the treatment of two life-threatening congenital diseases: chronic granulomatous disease and severe, malignant osteopetrosis. The most common side effects are flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache and chills. InterMune is conducting several trials including Actimmune: the INSPIRE Trial, a Phase III study of interferon gamma-1b in IPF; the GRACES Trial, a Phase III study of interferon gamma-1b plus standard chemotherapy in ovarian cancer; and a Phase IIb trial of interferon alfacon-1 plus interferon gamma-1b with and without ribavirin in hepatitis C virus (HCV) nonresponders. Physicians and patients can obtain additional prescribing information regarding Actimmune, including the product's safety profile, by visiting http://www.actimmune.com/.

About InterMune

InterMune is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative therapies in hepatology and pulmonology. The Company has a broad and deep late-stage product portfolio addressing HCV infections, particularly nonresponders, and IPF. Leading the hepatology portfolio is the DIRECT Trial, a Phase III study of daily Infergen(R) (interferon alfacon-1) plus ribavirin, and a Phase IIb trial of daily Infergen plus Actimmune with and without ribavirin for the treatment of HCV patients who do not respond to standard therapy. The pulmonology portfolio includes pirfenidone and Actimmune. Pirfenidone is being developed for the treatment of IPF and for the treatment of Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome. Actimmune is being investigated in the INSPIRE Trial, a Phase III study in patients with IPF. For additional information about InterMune and its development pipeline, please visit http://www.intermune.com/.

Except for the historical information contained herein, this press release contains certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including without limitation the statements related to product development. All forward-looking statements and other information included in this press release are based on information available to InterMune as of the date hereof, and InterMune assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements or information. InterMune's actual results could differ materially from those described in InterMune's forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in detail under the heading "Risk Factors" in InterMune's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 9, 2004 and other periodic reports filed with the SEC, including the following: (i) the risk that if physicians do not prescribe Actimmune for the treatment of IPF, an indication for which Actimmune has not been approved by the FDA, or if patient referral rates continue to decline, InterMune's revenues will decline; (ii) risks related to regulation by the FDA and other agencies with respect to InterMune's communications with physicians concerning Actimmune for the treatment of IPF; (iii) risks related to potential increases in Infergen sales; (iv) reimbursement risks associated with third-party payors; (v) risks related to whether InterMune is able to obtain, maintain and enforce patents and other intellectual property; (vi) risks related to significant regulatory, supply and competitive barriers to entry; (vii) risks related to the uncertain, lengthy and expensive clinical development and regulatory process, including having no unexpected safety, toxicology, clinical or other issues; (viii) risks related to achieving positive clinical trial results; (ix) risks related to timely patient enrollment and retention in clinical trials. The risks and other factors discussed above should be considered only in connection with the fully discussed risks and other factors discussed in detail in the 10-Q report and InterMune's other periodic reports filed with the SEC.

InterMune, Inc.

CONTACT: investors, Judy Hayes of InterMune, Inc., +1-415-466-2242, orir@intermune.com; or media, Carolyn Bumgardner-Wang of WeissComm Partners,Inc., +1-415-362-5018, or carolyn@weisscom.net, for InterMune, Inc.

Web site: http://www.intermune.com/

Source: PRNewswire-FirstCall

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