Results of the Europa study (European trial on reduction of cardiac events with perindopril in stable coronary artery disease) conducted by Serdia Pharmaceuticals show that the long-acting Ace inhibitor perindopril (Coversyl) is very effective in reducing the risk of cardiovascular mortality or non-fatal myocardial infarction (heart attack) in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD).

"Perindopril can be used with conventional treatment for management of coronary artery disease such as anti-platelet, anti-hypersensitive or lipid-lowering therapy. We now have sufficient evidence to show that perindopril, beyond its blood pressure lowering effect has additional advantages and should be used to treat patients with angina pectoris, history of heart attacks and other evidence of coronary disease, regardless of their hypersensitive status," said Prof. Kim Fox, chairman, Europa study group.

Prof Fox added that coronary disease represents a major growing public health problem worldwide. The results of Europa study represent a milestone in cardiology, providing for the very first time the life-saving benefits of an Ace inhibitor, perindopril, in the CAD patient population. Perindopril added to standard optimal therapy over a four-year period could prevent heart attacks or cardiovascular deaths.

Europa is the largest study conducted in patients with stable coronary disease. The study involved 13,655 patients registered from 24 European countries. Patients were randomised over Coversyl once daily or placebo, in addition to optimal therapy, for an average of four years. It is the first study to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of Ace inhibition in a board spectrum of patients with stable coronary disease, claims a Serdia release.

The long-acting Ace inhibitor Coversyl, once-daily, was chosen for Europa study based on its 24-hour efficacy, including blood-pressure control, its documented cardiovascular anti-ischemic and anti-atherogenic properties and because it is easy to use and well tolerated. Perindopril has well-documented efficacy in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, heart failure and in cerebro-vascular disease.

Dr. J.S. Hiremath, India's leading cardiologist from Pune said that the studies also showed that the average age of the first heart attack among Indian men is five years earlier than among European men, indicating a much earlier onset of the disease. The prevalence of triple vessel diseases also a high 54% among Indian men against 21% among European men while the prevalence of myocardial infarction among south Asians is 7.6% against 2.8% among Europeans.

"CAD is a bigger problem among Indians. The key to tackling this lies in the use of drugs like Ace inhibitors Perindopril when used with standard therapy could prevent heart attacks or cardiovascular deaths," said Dr. Hiremath.

Perindopril has been approved by the European Medical Evaluation Agency (EMEA) for the reduction of risk of cardiac events in patients with stable CAD, with a history of heart attack or revascularisation. The US FDA has approved a label extension of perindopril for a similar extension.

Coversyl discovered by Servier, is licensed world-wide for hypertension and heart failure at dosages of 4 to 8 mg.

Serdia is a subsidiary of Servier research group that manufactures and promotes original research products of Servier.