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 August 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 August 15, 2000, entitled: "Published
Results Support Vasogen's Ongoing Trials".
SIGNATURE
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: August 15, 2000
<PAGE>
Vasogen Inc.
INVESTOR CONTACT
2155 Dunwin Drive
Mississauga, ON, Canada L5L 4M1 Glenn Neumann
tel: (905) 569-2265 fax: (905) 569-9231 Investor Relations
www.vasogen.com (905) 569-9065
[email protected]
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Published Results Support Vasogen's Ongoing Trials
Toronto, Ontario (August 15, 2000) -- Vasogen Inc. (TSE:VAS; AMEX:MEW) today
announced that the Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery has published
results showing a significant beneficial effect of its VAS972 immune modulation
therapy. The studies, utilizing a well-known animal model of inflammatory skin
disease, were directed by Daniel Sauder, MD, Professor and Chief of Dermatology
at the University of Toronto and demonstrated a significant inhibition of
immune-mediated inflammation by VAS972. Based on this work, Vasogen has
initiated a placebo-controlled clinical trial of VAS972 in patients suffering
from moderate to severe psoriasis. This trial is now fully enrolled with results
expected in October of this year. The Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery
is a peer-reviewed publication that is targeted to the international
dermatologic and cutaneous biology community.
Forty-six per cent of animals receiving VAS972 therapy showed a significant
suppression of inflammation when compared to untreated controls and a
histological examination of the tissue showed a markedly reduced number of
infiltrating inflammatory cells. This level of suppression is comparable to that
seen using a number of powerful but toxic immunosuppressive agents, such as
cyclosporine, which is widely used to treat moderate to severe psoriasis.
These findings, together with results previously presented at the 61st Annual
Meeting of the Society for Investigative Dermatology in Chicago demonstrating
that the key regulatory cytokine IL-10 is an important mediator of the
anti-inflammatory mechanism of VAS972, suggest a therapeutic potential across a
wide range of autoimmune diseases including psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis,
multiple sclerosis, and inflammatory bowel disease.
"The results of these studies have enhanced our understanding of the
anti-inflammatory effect of Vasogen's immune modulation therapies and suggest
new therapeutic targets for clinical development beyond the five indications
currently in clinical trials," commented Dr. Anthony Bolton, Vasogen's Director
of Research.
Psoriasis is one of the most common diseases of the skin, occurring in up to 3%
of the world's population. While there is no cure, moderate to severe disease
responds best to immunosuppressive therapies, such as cyclosporine
administration, and to UV light treatment. However, the use of these treatments
is limited by their serious side effects, including kidney toxicity and an
increased incidence of cancer. By contrast, Vasogen's immune modulation therapy
has demonstrated an excellent safety profile.
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.
