AstraZeneca halts Exanta trials

AstraZeneca has decided to shelve its blood-thinning drug Exanta after the therapy was linked to a serious case of liver damage during an ongoing clinical trial. The FDA had already refused marketing approval for Exanta in 2004 due to safety concerns. Exanta is currently approved for short-term use in 12 countries. "While there is no evidence of a risk of liver injury with approved use up to 11 days, any unapproved use beyond 11 days is a concern," the company said in a statement. A follow-on treatment--AZD0837--is being researched as a possible replacement.

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