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| |  FDA Accepts Altace Supplemental New Drug Application for Delaying the Progression of Chronic Kidney Disease in Hypertensive, Non-Diabetic Patients BRISTOL, TN -- September 26, 2005 -- King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") accepted for filing the Company's supplemental new drug application ("sNDA") seeking a new indication for Altace(R) (ramipril). Specifically, King is seeking approval of an indication for Altace(R) as initial therapy in a multi-drug regimen to delay the progression of chronic kidney disease in hypertensive patients with non-diabetic kidney disease. Charles L. Pamplin, III, MD, Vice President, Medical Affairs of King, stated, "This exemplifies our commitment to addressing important healthcare concerns. Reducing the progression of chronic kidney disease will not only improve the quality of life for many patients suffering from chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease, but will also reduce the significant healthcare burden associated with these ailments." King is seeking an expansion of the label for this indication based on a compilation of data from two, randomized clinical trials: the AASK (African American Study of Kidney Disease and Hypertension) trial(1) and the REIN (Ramipril Efficacy In Nephropathy) trial.(2,3) The AASK trial, a randomized U.S. clinical study, evaluated the efficacy of Altace(R) and two other treatment regimens in 1094 African Americans with hypertension, using clinical outcomes of changes in glomerular filtration rate ("GFR"), slowing the progression of end-stage renal disease, and mortality. The REIN trial, which was conducted in a predominantly Caucasian population, evaluated the effect of Altace(R) on the progression of kidney disease as measured by slowing the decline in GFR and reducing the incidence of end-stage renal disease. Hypertension is the second leading cause of end-stage renal disease as reported by the United States Renal Data System (USRDS)(4), with African Americans six times more likely to develop end-stage renal disease from hypertension than Whites.(5) According to the National Kidney Foundation, approximately 20 million Americans - 1 in 9 U.S. adults - suffer from chronic kidney disease and 20 million more are at increased risk.(6) The annual cost of end-stage renal disease, which involves dialysis and, at times, kidney transplants, is estimated to be approximately $25 billion.(4) Earlier this month, King reported the publication of the results of the Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation - The Ongoing Outcomes ("HOPE-TOO") in an article entitled "Long-Term Effects of Ramipril on Cardiovascular Events and on Diabetes," which appears in the August 30, 2005 issue of Circulation, a publication of the American Heart Association. The HOPE-TOO results demonstrated the sustained effect of Altace(R) in reducing the risk of cardiovascular events for more than seven years. About Altace Altace is the leading branded ACE inhibitor with multiple indications. Altace(R) is indicated for the treatment of hypertension. Altace has also been shown to reduce the risk of death in stable patients who have demonstrated clinical signs of congestive heart failure within the first few days after sustaining acute myocardial infarction. Based upon the results of the landmark HOPE trial, Altace is also indicated in patients 55 years or older at high risk of developing a major cardiovascular event either because of a history of coronary artery disease, stroke or peripheral vascular disease or because of diabetes that is accompanied by at least one other cardiovascular risk factor (hypertension, elevated total cholesterol levels, low HDL levels, cigarette smoking, or documented microalbuminuria), to reduce the risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, or death from cardiovascular causes. Altace can be used in addition to other needed treatments (such as antihypertensive, antiplatelet or lipid-lowering therapies). Prescription Altace is not for everyone. Altace may cause swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which could cause extremely serious risk and requires immediate medical care. Altace may lower blood sugar if taken for diabetes. A physician should be contacted if one experiences symptoms of low blood sugar such as sweating or shakiness. Common side effects include persistent dry cough, dizziness, and light-headedness due to low blood pressure. Altace should not be taken during pregnancy, as death or injury to an unborn child may result, or if serious side effects related to previous ACE inhibitors have occurred. REFERENCES:
SOURCE King Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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