FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of June 2000
Commission File Number 0-29350
VASOGEN INC.
(Translation of Registrant's name into English)
2155 Dunwin Drive, Suite 10, Mississauga, Ontario, L5L 4M1
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover Form 20 - F or Form 40 - F.)
Form 20-F X Form 40-F
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(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934.)
Yes No X
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This Form 6-K consists of:
A press release issued by Vasogen Inc. on June 7, 2000, entitled: "Study
Confirms Vasogen Therapy's Ability To Improve Blood Vessel Function In
Atherosclerosis":
SIGNATURE
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
VASOGEN INC.
By _____________________________________
(Name: Christopher Waddick)
(Title: Vice-President, Finance & CFO)
Date: June 7, 2000
<PAGE>
Vasogen Inc. INVESTOR CONTACT
2155 Dunwin Drive Trevor Burns
Mississauga, ON, Canada L5L 4M1 Investor Relations
tel: (905) 569-2265 fax: (905) 569-9231 tel: (905) 569-9065
http://www.vasogen.com e-mail: [email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
STUDY CONFIRMS VASOGEN THERAPY'S ABILITY TO IMPROVE
BLOOD VESSEL FUNCTION IN ATHEROSCLEROSIS
Toronto, Ontario (June 7, 2000) -- Vasogen Inc. (TSE: VAS; AMEX:MEW) today
announced results of a recently completed pre-clinical study substantiating that
the Company's VasoCare(TM) therapy improves the function of the vascular
endothelium, the cellular lining of blood vessels. In North America and Europe,
millions of patients with atherosclerosis (commonly known as "hardening of the
arteries"), have impaired function of the endothelium. This condition
contributes to the progression of the disease, leading to heart attack, stroke,
and many other cardiovascular complications.
The controlled study, conducted in a widely-used animal model of
atherosclerosis, was carried out at McMaster University, Hamilton, and St.
Michael's Hospital, Toronto, under the direction of Dr. David Courtman, Director
of Research, Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at St. Michael's
Hospital. These findings support previously reported results from a
double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in patients with atherosclerosis
conducted during 1999 at the University of Lund, Sweden, that showed significant
and substantial improvements in blood flow recovery times following temporary
occlusion, in patients receiving VasoCare(TM) therapy.
Endothelial function was assessed in VasoCare(TM)-treated versus untreated
control animals by measuring relaxation of arteries in response to
acetylcholine, a potent dilator of blood vessels in animals with normal
endothelial function. Endothelial-dependent relaxation was confirmed by
comparing intact arteries with those in which the endothelium had been damaged.
A three-fold greater maximal endothelial-dependent relaxation of more than 55%
was observed in VasoCare(TM)-treated animals, compared to the 15% relaxation
observed in the untreated control group (p<0.05). These data will form the basis
of a presentation at a scientific meeting later this year.
"Vasogen's immune modulation therapy substantially improved the vasodilator
function of the endothelium in these experiments," said Dr. Courtman. "Together
with the therapy's marked impact on the development of atherosclerosis seen in
our previous studies, these effects on blood vessels confirm VasoCare(TM)
therapy's potential as a promising and important therapeutic intervention for
patients with cardiovascular disease."
Currently, more than 16 million people in the United States alone suffer from
symptomatic cardiovascular disease - most of whom have significant endothelial
dysfunction. In healthy people, the vascular endothelium dilates arteries to
maintain optimal blood flow, modifies blood clotting to prevent the formation of
thrombi, or blood clots, and controls the entry of immune cells into tissues at
sites of inflammation. In patients with atheroslcerosis, poor endothelial
function can, therefore, contribute to inflammation, promote progression of
atherosclerosis, and allow the formation of thrombi that can block blood vessels
resulting in heart attack or stroke.
"The beneficial effects on endothelial function produced by VasoCare(TM) therapy
provide a powerful rationale for our ongoing clinical trials in patients with
atherosclerosis and congestive heart failure," said Dr. Eldon Smith, Vasogen's
Vice-President, Scientific Affairs. "VasoCare(TM) therapy's ability to improve
endothelial function represents a major advance in our understanding of this
therapy's potential in the treatment of many cardiovascular diseases."
Vasogen is focused on developing immune modulation therapies to advance the
treatment of cardiovascular, autoimmune and related inflammatory diseases.
These therapies are designed to target fundamental disease-causing events,
providing safe, effective treatment.
Statements contained in this press release, including those pertaining to
scientific and clinical research, commercialization plans, strategic alliances,
and intellectual property protection, other than statements of historical fact,
are forward-looking statements subject to a number of uncertainties that could
cause actual results to differ materially from statements made.
