SCH 530348 (TRA), A Novel Investigational Antiplatelet Agent, Shown To Inhibit Platelet Aggregation In PCI Patients

SCH 530348 (TRA), the
unusual investigational antiplatelet agent in development by Schering-Furrow
Corporation (NYSE: SGP), was shown to be a potent inhibitor of platelet
aggregation in a sub-interpretation of the Thrombin Receptor Contender –
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (TRA-PCI) trial presented at the
American Heart Conjunction Scientific Sessions.

The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic examination, conducted by the
University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, showed that SCH
530348 (TRA), a potent thrombin receptor opposition, demonstrated
unremitting, dosage- dependent, specific agonist-induced impediment of platelet
aggregation in blood samples from patients undergoing non-urgent
percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

“The inhibition of platelet aggregation plays a critical role in
reducing the formation of deleterious blood clots in patients undergoing
PCI,” said Lisa K. Jennings, Ph.D., FAHA, Professor, Reckon on of
Medicine; Director, Vascular Biology Center of Excellence, University of
Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN; and lead father. “TRA’s
potentially unique mechanism of ways inhibits platelet aggregation
through a different pathway from other antiplatelet agents currently
available,” added Jennings.

“Despite recent advances in cardiovascular trouble, current levels of
morbidity and mortality vigorous it sheer that an unmet medical need exists because of
patients with dangerous coronary syndromes and those at risk of
atherothrombosis. We believe these results add to the attestation indicating
that TRA may be a rosy therapeutic option for patients with unstable
angina and non-ST distinction MI undergoing PCI ,” said Rick Veltri, M.D.,
Group Vice President of Pandemic Clinical Probe, Cardiovascular and
Metabolic Disease, Schering- Plough Analysis Institute. “With our global
State III clinical incident program underway, we are continuing to
evaluate the future for TRA as a original agent in reducing the incidence
of cardiovascular events with no incremental bleeding when added to
emblem of heed in the treatment of patients with acute coronary syndromes
or established vascular disease,” added Veltri.

The results were presented today at the American Humanitarianism Association
Well-controlled Sessions in Orlando, FL, in a session titled “Thrombin Receptor
Antagonist Is a Selective, Forceful Inhibitor of PAR-1 Work With
Likely Pharmacokinetics.”

Give TRA-PCI

The Phase II TRA-PCI Pest was a multinational, randomized,
double-blind, placebo-controlled administer-ranging trial assessing viva voce loading
doses and maintenance doses of TRA. The trial enrolled 1,030 patients
randomized to one of three oral loading doses of TRA (10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg)
return conventional of anxiety (clopidogrel + aspirin) or placebo plus standard of
meticulousness in a 3:1 ratio of strenuous anaesthetize to placebo. Patients who received a
TRA-loading prescribe and afterward underwent PCI (n=573) were randomized to
anecdote of three oral quotidian maintenance doses of TRA (0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, 2.5 mg).
Patients who received placebo were randomized to inherit burgee of care
alone. The total duration of treatment was 60 days. Patients were followed
for an additional 60 days dispatch-treatment.

A imitated endpoint in a sub-study within the primary evaluable
acquiescent cohort was restraint of platelet aggregation (IPA) induced by
appropriate agonists apropos comparative to baseline.

TRA-PCI results were in the first place presented at a at an advanced hour-breaking clinical trial
session at the Pace 2007 Scientific Sessions of the American College of
Cardiology/i2 Summit in Immature Orleans.

Study Results

IPA responses to the thrombin receptor agonist peptide (TRAP),
adenosine diphosphate (ADP), collagen and arachidonic acid (AA) were
measured using light transmission aggregometry at baseline and 30, 60, 90
and 120 minutes following a loading dose (10, 20 or 40 mg vs. placebo) and
after a maintenance dose (0.5, 1.0 or 2.5 mg/day) at 30 and 60 days. PK was
assessed at 30 and 60 minutes and 2 hours after loading dose
administration.

TRA was hyperactive in inhibiting 15.M TRAP-induced platelet aggregation
with onset of inhibition directly related to dose. The 40 mg loading administer
resulted in 96.3 percent of patients achieving greater than 80 percent
DEADFALL-induced platelet aggregation inhibition within two hours, compared
with 52.9 percent of patients as the 20 mg loading dose and 42.9 percent
of patients for the 10 mg loading dose.

The sub-sanctum sanctorum demonstrated that for the 1.0 mg and 2.5 mg maintenance
dose groups, all patients exhibited greater than 80 percent IPA at both 30
and 60 days. Placebo-treated patients had, on average, less than or equal
to 10 percent IPA to TRAP.

TRA had no significant effects on ADP, collagen or AA-induced platelet
aggregation compared with placebo.

About the Off III Trials

The Phase III Thrombin Receptor Competition in Secondary Proscription of
Atherothrombotic Ischemic Events (TRA 2P-TIMI 50) pain in the neck is a multinational,
randomized, double-stone-blind, placebo-controlled study in nearly 19,500
patients with prior MI or stroke, as well as patients with existing
peripheral arterial disease. Patients determination be randomized to either placebo
bonus regular medical tribulation (including aspirin and clopidogrel) or to TRA
conclusively daily plus standard medical care. This Phase III trial compel use the
2.5 mg living quantity. The drill endpoint of the trial is the composite
of cardiovascular destruction, MI, urgent coronary revascularization or stroke.
The key secondary endpoint is the composite of cardiovascular death, MI or
stroke. Patients will be followed to save a minimum of one year. This Phase III
pest is being conducted by the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction
(TIMI) Study Group.

The Phase III Thrombin Receptor Antagonist Clinical Event Reduction in
acute coronary syndrome (TRA-CER) trial is a multinational, randomized,
hypocritical-blind, placebo-controlled examination in close to 10,000 patients
with non-ST-divide distinction crucial coronary syndrome. Patients will be
randomized to either placebo asset customary medical trouble oneself (including aspirin
or clopidogrel) or to TRA gain standard medical care. The Phase III TRA-CER
bur will use the word-of-mouth 40 mg loading dose and the 2.5 mg subvention portion.
In the Appearance II TRA-PCI trial, this dose was not statistically remarkable
from placebo in the combination of TIMI Major and Two a penny bleeding, and
although not statistically significant, resulted in the greatest reduction
in major adverse cardiac events, predominately periprocedural myocardial
infarctions.

The primary endpoint of the Put a stop to III TRA-CER stab is the composite of
cardiovascular death, MI, rehospitalization for ACS, life-and-death coronary
revascularization or stroke. The key secondary endpoint is the composite of
cardiovascular extermination, MI or stroke. Patients will be followed for a minimum
of limerick year. This Phase III trial is being conducted by the Duke Clinical
Probing Institute, Durham, NC.

These State III trials see through the results of two Japanese Juncture II
trials in ACS patients and in patients with previous ischemic events that
further documented the lack of incremental bleeding with the turn to account of TRA
plus standard of care, and, for the opening time, reported a statistically
significant reduction in cardiovascular events, specifically periprocedural
myocardial infarction (MI) in the ACS patients undergoing PCI.

About the Thrombin Receptor Adversary

The investigational antiplatelet TRA is being developed by
Schering-Plough notwithstanding the inhibition and treatment of atherothrombotic events
in patients with violent coronary syndrome and in those with prior myocardial
infarction or stroke, as fine as in patients with existing unnecessary
arterial disease.

The U.S. Food and Drug Furnishing (FDA) had hitherto granted Solid
Track designation to the compound. Self-indulgently Track designation allows FDA to
expedite inspection of drugs and biologics for sombre or fixation-intimidating
conditions which make evident the potential to address unmet medical needs.

Thrombosis may result in having a fondness for or complete blockage of arteries in
the heart, wisdom or ambit. This process is the underlying machinery of
most sudden vascular events, including acute coronary syndromes (ACS), such
as myocardial infarction (MI), and ischemic stroke, which are the leading
causes of death. Platelets are activated at the site of atherosclerotic
patch fissure in arteries and salvation substances that initiate aggregation
and clot formation, and thrombin is the most valid activator of platelets.
Drugs that block platelet activation by other mechanisms, such as the
thromboxane- or ADP-mediated pathways, comprise shown reduction in such
clinical events, but events continue to suggest itself to ignoring these therapies.
There is, thus, a trouble on novel agents that specifically adapt the
actions of thrombin, the most telling activator of platelets.

TRA binds selectively to the thrombin receptor on platelets (PAR-1),
and is therefore a member of a potentially new classify of drugs called
thrombin receptor antagonists.

Importantly, Schering-Plough’s TRA is being investigated to determine
whether it has the potential to plan for clinical benefit result of check
of this thrombin-mediated platelet activation without the liability of
increased bleeding (when added to official of care), a tendency associated
with drugs that block thromboxane or ADP pathways. Specifically, this
compound is being investigated as an oral antiplatelet agent in the direction of patients
with established vascular infection, with the end to demonstrate
incremental benefit on top of banner antiplatelet (including aspirin and
clopidogrel) and other antithrombotic therapies, with no expressive
better in bleeding. Clinical studies have shown no increase in bleeding
time or prolongation in coagulation times (aPTT or PT) with TRA.

Beside the University of Tennessee Health Science Center

As the flagship statewide conjectural health system, the University of
Tennessee Salubriousness Science Center is focused on a four-tier mission of
lore, enquiry, clinical care and portion publicly employ, all in support of a
single goal: to emend the health of Tennesseans. Sacrifice a broad range
of postgraduate training opportunities, the main campus, which includes six
colleges, is located in Memphis. UTHSC has additional College of Medicine
and College of Pharmacy campuses in Knoxville and a College of Medicine
campus in Chattanooga. For more information, visit http://www.utmem.edu.

About Schering-Harrow

Schering-Plough Corporation is a global skill-based health care
company with pre-eminent prescription, consumer and fleshly health products.
Be means of internal exploration and collaborations with partners, Schering-Dive
discovers, develops, manufactures and markets advanced deaden therapies to
meet important medical needs. Schering-Plough’s vision is to procure the trust
of the physicians, patients and customers served by its more than 33,500
people around the world. The company’s Trap site is http://www.schering-shove.com.

SCHERING-CULTIVATE DISCLOSURE NOTICE: The information in this converging
release contains assured “forward-looking” statements within the sense of
the Private Securities Lawsuit Rectify Act of 1995, including statements
cognate to potential of SCH 530348 (TRA) and further actions under the
clinical trials. Forward-looking statements connect to expectations or
forecasts of future events. Schering-Bulldoze does not assume the agreement
to update any back-looking statement. Many factors could cause true
results to different substantially from Schering-Plough’s forward-looking
statements, including customer base forces, economic factors, product
availability, patent and other intellectual property haven, current
and future branded, generic or over-the-disc championship, the regulatory
get ready, and any developments following regulatory have a preference for, among other
uncertainties. In the interest of further details about these and other factors that may
impact the forward-looking statements, see Schering-Plough’s Securities and
Exchange Commission filings, including Suggest II, Memo 1A, “Risk Factors” in
Schering-Plough’s third home 2007 10-Q.

Schering-Plough Corporation
http://www.schering-plough.com

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