Sanofi-Aventis scores positive data in Multaq trial

The experimental heart drug Multaq, being developed by Sanofi-Aventis, reduced the risk of stroke by a third among elderly patients suffering from atrial fibrillation. The trial pitted Multaq against a placebo.

"These are extraordinarily impressive trial results," said John Cam, professor of clinical cardiology, at St George's Hospital Medical School. "No other anti-arrhythmic drug has had a positive outcome of this nature in atrial fibrillation. The 34 per cent reduction in relative risk of stroke is amazing for a drug that is not an anti-coagulant."

Researchers say that the positive effect of the drug was seen early in the study and was maintained during the 12 to 30-month follow-up. That data helps underscore the drug's potential, with analysts estimating future revenue from an approved product at around $2 billion a year. The trial involved 4,628 patients over the age of 70.

- read the report [1] from the Telegraph

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