Bayer's experimental deep vein thrombosis drug rivaroxaban produced positive data in two mid-stage trials, raising hopes for a drug that is widely seen as a potential blockbuster therapy. The data presented at the World Congress of Cardiology demonstrated a reduction in clot size with little recurrence of venous thromboembolism. In the first study, rivaroxaban reduced clot size (thrombus burden--the primary efficacy measure) after 21 days and at three months with low rates of venous thromboembolism recurrence. Similar results were seen in the second study.
Its lead investigator says the results indicate that the therapy could be used for both acute and long-term care as it does not require the kind of constant supervision demanded by warfarin, the market leader for the condition. Some analysts are projecting sales of up to $2.6 billion from a successful launch.
- see the release on the trials