Cor pondering its dosage dilemma

Cor Therapeutics Inc. discussed in more detail data from its Phase III trial of Integrelin in all comers in coronary angioplasty. The additional information last week served to reinforce the preliminary conclusion that the trial failed to meet its primary end point - a composite of death, myocardial infarction and the need for urgent intervention within 30 days - because the dose used was too low (see BioCentury Extra, June 15).

One of the keys to understanding the trial is to be found in the patients enrolled in the high- and low-risk groups. The high-risk population was composed primarily of patients with unstable angina, plus a smaller number of patients with acute myocardial infarction. These patients came in with a high level of platelet activation, according to CORR President and CEO Vaughn Kailian. In contrast, low-risk patients didn't have the same disturbed endothelium or high level of platelet activation...