Pfizer, BMS Anti-clot Drug Shows Promise

Pfizer and Bristol-Myers Squibb’s oral anticoagulant apixaban achieved positive results in the late-stage Advance-2 study. Apixaban was shown to be statistically superior to 40 mg once daily enoxaparin (Lovenox) in reducing the incidence of venous thromboembolism in patients undergoing total knee replacement surgery. The study results also showed lower rates of bleeding in patients treated with apixaban compared to enoxaparin.

Apixaban is an oral, highly selective Factor Xa inhibitor, part of a class of agents being studied for their potential to prevent and treat blood clots in the veins and arteries. Pfizer and BMS began their apixaban co-development pact in April 2007.

“One of the major concerns for orthopedic surgeons using oral anticoagulants for venous thromboembolism prevention in knee surgery is the significant risk of bleeding,” said Michael Rud Lassen, M.D., Hoersholm Hospital in Copenhagen, Denmark, lead investigator for the study. “We are encouraged by the Advance-2 data, which demonstrated better antithrombotic effect and comparable bleeding rates for apixaban compared with enoxaparin.”