WALTHAM, Mass., Aug. 31, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BG Medicine, Inc. (Nasdaq:BGMD), a company focused on the development and commercialization of novel, biomarker-based diagnostics, announced today that results from two preclinical studies were presented at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress 2011, in Paris, France. The studies utilized genetic and pharmacological methodologies to investigate the role of galectin-3 in heart failure. One of the studies used a natural selective galectin-3 inhibitor to investigate whether blocking galectin-3 can attenuate heart failure development and reduce mortality. Both studies were presented by Lili Yu, MD, Research Fellow, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, The Netherlands.

"Finding and understanding the disease mechanisms underlying important clinical conditions such as heart failure is a prerequisite for the development of effective disease-modifying therapies," said Professor Dr. Dirk Jan van Veldhuisen,Chairman and Professor of Cardiology, University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands. "These two studies combined lend strong support for the important role galectin-3 plays in heart failure development and progression, and that natural or pharmacological inhibitors of galectin-3 can attenuate the disease and reduce mortality."

The first study, "Genetic Disruption of Galectin-3 Prevents Adverse Cardiac Remodeling," investigated whether disruption of the galectin-3 pathway blocks heart failure development by means that normally induce heart failure. The study was conducted in animals lacking the gene to make galectin-3 protein, and used both a chemical and surgical path of heart failure induction. Results from this study indicate that animals without the galectin-3 gene do not develop cardiac fibrosis and heart failure, while animals with the galectin-3 gene, when exposed to the same provocation, develop cardiac fibrosis and heart failure.

The second study, "Pharmacological Inhibition of Galectin-3 Attenuates Adverse Cardiac Remodeling and Heart Failure," researched whether a special natural carbohydrate molecule that binds to a specific site on the galectin-3 protein can inhibit fibrosis, reduce heart failure development and reduce mortality.  Results indicated that inhibition of galectin-3 reduced the formation of fibrosis by more than 60% to near-normal levels, preserved left ventricular function and thus prevented the development of heart failure.

"These two preclinical studies confirm what we had anticipated based on the biology of galectin-3," said Pieter Muntendam, MD, President and CEO of BG Medicine. "The most striking finding was how well this natural carbohydrate performed. We selected it based on how well it binds to the galectin-3 protein, and we did not have much as a basis for our selection of the model, or the dose and route of administration. We expect these findings will stimulate pharmaceutical research on the use of galectin-3 as a new drug target and on the study of natural compounds that may offer important benefits when used as supplements or in fortified foods."

About Galectin-3 and Heart Failure

Galectin-3 is a unique carbohydrate-binding lectin, or protein, that binds to carbohydrates called beta-galactosides. It has been implicated in a variety of biological processes important in heart failure, and is believed to be a primary mediator of progressive cardiac fibrosis (abnormal thickening and stiffening of the heart muscle) and adverse remodeling (changes in the structure of the heart). Higher levels of galectin-3 are associated with a more aggressive form of heart failure and 30% or more of mild to moderate heart failure patients will have elevated levels of galectin-3. Heart failure affects an estimated 5.8 million Americans, with approximately 670,000 new cases occurring each year. The direct and indirect cost of heart failure in the United States for 2010 is estimated to be $39.2 billion.

About BG Medicine, Inc.
BG Medicine, Inc. (Nasdaq:BGMD) is a life sciences company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel, biomarker-based diagnostics to improve patient outcomes and contain healthcare costs.  The Company recently launched the BGM Galectin-3TM test for use in patients with heart failure, the first novel blood test for cardiac disease cleared by the U.S. F.D.A. in five years.  BG Medicine also has products in development to aid in the diagnosis and management of acute atherothrombosis and lipid disorders. For additional information about BG Medicine, heart failure and galectin-3 testing, please visit www.bg-medicine.com and www.galectin-3.com.

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Special Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements

Certain statements made in this news release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that are intended to be covered by the "safe harbor" created by those sections. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as "believe," "expect," "may," "will," "should," "could," "seek," "intend," "plan," "estimate," "anticipate" or other comparable terms.  Forward-looking statements in this news release address our expectations concerning the role that galectin-3 plays in heart failure, our beliefs regarding the importance of the galectin-3 data presented at ESC, our understanding of and expectations regarding the ability of natural carbohydrates to inhibit galectin-3, and our expectations regarding the impact of the galectin-3 data on the sales and marketing of our galectin-3 diagnostic tests.  Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and involve inherent risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, as a result of various factors including those risks and uncertainties described in the Risk Factors and in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations sections of our recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.  We urge you to consider those risks and uncertainties in evaluating our forward-looking statements.  We caution readers not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made.  Except as otherwise required by the federal securities laws, we disclaim any obligation or undertaking to publicly release any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein (or elsewhere) to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

CONTACT:

Michael W. Rogers

EVP & Chief Financial Officer

(781) 890-1199