Toronto, Ontario – November 16, 2005
Novadaq® Technologies Inc.
(TSX: NDQ) announces data published in the Journal of the American
College of Cardiology (JACC) and research findings for a heart bypass
drug trial in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
Results from a prospective trial using Novadaq’s SPY® Intra-Operative
Imaging System, published in the October 18 issue of the JACC, suggests
a significant number of graft failures can be identified in the
operating room. “An under appreciated number of bypass grafts have
failed in the operating room and these failed grafts lead to poorer
outcomes for the patient,” said Dr. Nimesh Desai of Sunnybrook and
Women’s College Health Science Center in Toronto, Canada.
Research findings from the Prevent IV heart bypass drug trial were also
released today in the Journal of the American Medical Association
(JAMA), and presented during the American Heart Association’s Annual
Scientific Sessions earlier this week. While the national study of
3,014 patients concluded the drug edifoligide was not effective in
preventing bypass vein failure, researchers did identify up to thirty
percent of vein grafts used in heart bypass surgery fail at one year,
marking a significant increase above earlier scientific estimates of
five to thirteen percent.
Heart experts acknowledge the benefits of bypass surgery for
appropriately selected patients, and understand the need for further
research to determine the factors of failure and durability in vein
grafts. Consequences of graft failure include repeat chest pain,
revascularization procedures and death. Technology to assess bypass
grafts during surgery, such as the SPY System, is an important
advancement in cardiac surgery.
Leading cardiac surgeons and researchers collaborated with the medical
industry to develop the SPY Intra-Operative Imaging System, the first
and only fluorescent imaging system available for use during heart
bypass surgery. Doctors predict widespread adoption of intra-operative
imaging will significantly reduce unrecognized graft failures, helping
to decrease complications and repeat surgeries.
For years, heart experts have made educated estimates about the
percentage of failed bypasses, because X-ray angiography, the current
gold standard for assessing coronary arteries, is not considered
practical for the operating room, due in part to safety risks. The
result is that patient’s bypass grafts have not been routinely assessed
during the operation.
Dr. Michael Mack, a cardiac surgeon and investigator in the Prevent IV
trial, participated in early research and development of the SPY
System. “We have been searching for a more definitive way to confirm
the quality of the bypasses placed on the heart,” said Dr. Mack of
Medical City Hospital in Dallas, Texas. “Now, surgeons can make
necessary adjustments during a procedure, based on real-time images.”
Dr. Mercedes K.C. Dullum, cardiac surgeon at Cleveland Clinic Florida
and user of the SPY System added that “This is an emerging technology
that now allows us to assess our grafts intra-operatively and is a
significant advancement in helping surgeons improve the quality of
bypass surgery.”
In 2005 over 400,000 bypass surgeries are likely to be performed in the
United States alone. The SPY System is practical for use in both
traditional on-pump coronary artery bypass procedures, where the
patient's heart is stopped and blood is pumped through the body via a
heart-lung machine, and off- pump coronary artery bypass procedures,
where the heart is not stopped.
About Novadaq Technologies
Novadaq Technologies (TSX: NDQ) develops and commercializes medical
devices based on its proprietary imaging platform for the diagnosis and
treatment of human vascular and ophthalmic diseases and conditions.
Novadaq's SPY Intra-operative Imaging System enables surgeons to
visually assess coronary vasculature and bypass graft functionality
during the course of cardiac surgery. Novadaq's ophthalmic product, the
OPTTX™ System, is aimed at the diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of
wet Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) by using the same core
imaging technology that is used in the SPY System. The OPTTX System is
currently being evaluated in clinical trials.
For more information, please visit the company's website at www.novadaq.com.
Certain statements included in this press release may be considered
forward-looking. Such statements involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results,
performance or achievements to be materially different from those
implied by such statements, and therefore these statements should not
be read as guarantees of future performance or results. All
forward-looking statements are based on Novadaq's current beliefs as
well as assumptions made by and information currently available to
Novadaq and relate to, among other things, anticipated financial
performance, business prospects, strategies, regulatory developments,
market acceptance and future commitments. Readers are cautioned not to
place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak
only as of the date of this press release. Due to risks and
uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified by
Novadaq in its public securities filings, actual events may differ
materially from current expectations. Novadaq disclaims any intention
or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
For additional information:
Arun Menawat
President & CEO
Novadaq Technologies Inc.
Phone: 905-629-3822 x 202
amenawat@novadaq.com
Investor Relations:
Michael Moore
The Equicom Group
Phone: 416-815-0700 x 241
mmoore@equicomgroup.com
