LAVAL, QC, Oct. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Labopharm Inc. today announced that it will host a webcast presentation on Wednesday, October 24, 2007 at 10:00 am (ET) during which the Company’s senior management team will discuss the market opportunity, clinical and regulatory progress and the commercial plan for its once-daily trazodone product.
The webcast will also include a presentation by Dr. David V. Sheehan, Professor of Psychiatry and Director of Psychiatric Research at the University of South Florida College of Medicine and a leading researcher and lecturer in the areas of anxiety and mood disorders, psychopharmacology and biological psychiatry.
The live audio webcast will be available at www.labopharm.com. Please connect at least 15 minutes prior to the start time to ensure adequate time for any software download that may be required to join the webcast. The webcast will be archived at the above web site for 30 days.
About Trazodone
Trazodone is an atypical anti-depressant that acts as a dual serotonin agonist and serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SARI). Trazodone appears to increase serotonin activity via three mechanisms: the activation of neuronal serotonin receptors; the inhibition at the neuronal serotonin feedback system which regulates the action of serotonin; and the inhibition of the re-uptake of serotonin. Trazodone also helps to treat depression by improving sleep as a result of sedative effects caused by activation of histamine receptors and initiation and restoration of deep sleep cycles as a result of serotonin receptor activation. This may be of clinical benefit in depressed patients who have agitation, insomnia or poor sleep quality associated with their depression. Depression is one of the most prevalent central nervous system disorders, affecting at least 121 million people globally. Trazodone is widely used in its treatment with more than 14 million prescriptions written in the U.S. alone in 2006.
About Labopharm’s Once-Daily Formulation of Trazodone
Insomnia and agitation may be associated with depression. In addition to its anti-depressive effects, trazodone has some sedative effects that can improve sleep. Labopharm’s once-daily formulation has been specifically designed to take advantage of trazodone’s unique pharmacological properties, in addition to offering the benefits of once-daily administration and potentially fewer side effects generally associated with peak concentrations of drugs.
About Labopharm Inc.
Labopharm is an emerging leader in optimizing the performance of existing small molecule drugs using its proprietary controlled-release technologies. The Company’s lead product, a unique once-daily formulation of tramadol, is being commercially launched in key markets globally. The Company also has a robust pipeline of follow-on products in both pre-clinical and clinical development. Labopharm’s vision is to become a fully integrated, international, specialty pharmaceutical company with the capability to internally develop and commercialize its own products. For more information, please visit www.labopharm.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements, which reflect the Company’s current expectations regarding future events. The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual events could differ materially from those projected herein and depend on a number of factors, including the uncertainties related to the regulatory process and the commercialization of the Company’s products thereafter, if they are approved. Investors should consult the Company’s ongoing quarterly filings and annual reports for additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to these forward-looking statements. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
CONTACT: At Labopharm: (English or French) Mark D’Souza, Chief Financial
Officer, Tel: (450) 686-0207; At The Equicom Group, Jason Hogan, Media and
Investor Relations, Tel: (416) 815-0700, jhogan@equicomgroup.com; French:
Eric Bouchard, Tel: (514) 844-7997, ebouchard@equicomgroup.com
