LONDON (Reuters) - AstraZeneca Plc said on Monday that new data showed two
years treatment with its anti-cholesterol drug Crestor reversed plaque
build-up in the arteries of patients with evidence of coronary artery
disease.

"This is the first time a statin has demonstrated regression of
atherosclerosis in a major clinical study," Europe's third biggest
drugmaker said in a statement, referring to the family of drugs to which
Crestor belongs.

Atherosclerosis results when a build-up of cholesterol, inflammatory cells
and fibrous tissue forms areas in the artery wall called plaques.

If these plaques rupture they can block blood flow to critical organs like
the heart or the brain, and can lead to heart attack or stroke.

Crestor, a key growth driver for AstraZeneca, was initially touted by
analysts to be a $3-4 billion a year seller.

But sales, which totaled $1.27 billion last year, have not taken off as
fast as hoped and the drug has failed to win significant share from Pfizer
Inc's $12 billion blockbuster Lipitor, following controversy over its
safety.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration last year threw out a petition by
consumer group Public Citizen to have it banned.

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If anyone finds a link to this study, please post.

L.