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New heart drug cuts death rate 30 percent
Source: Agencies |
November 14, 2011, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
LOW doses of Bayer's and Johnson & Johnson's Xarelto blood clot preventer cut the risk of death by more than 30 percent when used in addition to standard blood thinners in patients with acute coronary syndrome, according to data released yesterday.
The companies had previously revealed that Xarelto met the study's main goal of significantly reducing the combined risk of death, stroke or heart attack when used with Plavix and aspirin, compared with those standard medicines alone.
In a study of 15,526 patients with acute coronary syndrome, those receiving Xarelto, known chemically as rivaroxaban, had a 16 percent combined reduced risk of death, stroke or heart attack.
For the lowest of the two tested Xarelto doses - 2.5 milligrams twice a day - the risk of cardiovascular death was cut by 34 percent and all causes of death by 32 percent, according to data presented at an American Heart Association scientific meeting.
"The real kicker was mortality. It was just a highly significant response," said Dr Eugene Braunwald, the study's chairman from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, US.
Sanford Bernstein analyst Tim Anderson said demonstrating a significant overall mortality benefit could translate into an additional US$2 billion or US$3 billion opportunity for the Bayer and Johnson & Johnson.
Xarelto led to a significant increase in bleeding when used with Plavix and aspirin, but there was no increase in fatal bleeding and researchers felt the increased bleeding risk was offset by the mortality reduction.
"I would rather have a major bleed and walk out of the hospital than not have a bleed and be wheeled to the morgue," Braunwald said.
Another benefit of Xarelto was seen in patients who had received a stent in an artery-clearing procedure. Reclogging of the artery was reduced by 31 percent.
The companies had previously revealed that Xarelto met the study's main goal of significantly reducing the combined risk of death, stroke or heart attack when used with Plavix and aspirin, compared with those standard medicines alone.
In a study of 15,526 patients with acute coronary syndrome, those receiving Xarelto, known chemically as rivaroxaban, had a 16 percent combined reduced risk of death, stroke or heart attack.
For the lowest of the two tested Xarelto doses - 2.5 milligrams twice a day - the risk of cardiovascular death was cut by 34 percent and all causes of death by 32 percent, according to data presented at an American Heart Association scientific meeting.
"The real kicker was mortality. It was just a highly significant response," said Dr Eugene Braunwald, the study's chairman from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, US.
Sanford Bernstein analyst Tim Anderson said demonstrating a significant overall mortality benefit could translate into an additional US$2 billion or US$3 billion opportunity for the Bayer and Johnson & Johnson.
Xarelto led to a significant increase in bleeding when used with Plavix and aspirin, but there was no increase in fatal bleeding and researchers felt the increased bleeding risk was offset by the mortality reduction.
"I would rather have a major bleed and walk out of the hospital than not have a bleed and be wheeled to the morgue," Braunwald said.
Another benefit of Xarelto was seen in patients who had received a stent in an artery-clearing procedure. Reclogging of the artery was reduced by 31 percent.
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