SQUIBB ENHANCING LIPID RESEARCH WITH ROCKEFELLER UNIVERSITY COLLABORATIVE

SQUIBB ENHANCING LIPID RESEARCH WITH ROCKEFELLER UNIVERSITY COLLABORATIVE program for basic research in the lipid/cholesterol area, according to a Squibb release on its annual shareholders meeting. The release notes that as part of Squibb's cardiovascular R&D efforts, the firm has implemented "a basic research program in lipid metabolism in collaboration with the Rockefeller University." Squibb said that under the collaborative program, Rockefeller University will conduct research on the causes of artherosclerosis and "certain aspects of cholesterol metabolism." The firm's current involvement in the cholesterol area includes research of a biosynthetic anticholesterol agent, eptastatin (CS-514), licensed from the Japanese firm Sankyo. "On the basis of animal studies and early clinical experience," Squibb said, "eptastatin appears to be an especially promising cholesterol-lowering agent." Squibb Exec VP Charles Sanders noted that the firm is in the process of "developing our own basic research in lipid metabolism." The firm also noted in the release that it is investigating Capoten for a number of new indications. The new uses include: use without digitalis in heart failure therapy (NDA filing schedule for mid-1986); prevention of heart failure following a heart attack (studies to begin before 1987); relief for patients with angina pectoris (NDA filing scheduled for second quarter of 1987); and once-daily use in hypertensive patients (NDA filing projected for second quarter of 1987). Discussing its imaging agent Isovue (iopamidol), approved Dec. 31, Squibb reported that based on "its initial success . . . we expect it to be a very large product for its class." The firm predicted that sale of Isovue in 1986 would reach $60 to $75 mil.