A new antiplatelet drug has shown significant ability to prevent blood clots. However, the drug also caused abnormal bleeding in clinical trial. Merck & Co is testing the drug in a trial which is believed to be largest drug trial conducted for any heart medicine so far.
The manufacturer company is seeking approval for Vorapaxar drug since last year. But the approval is denied because of bleeding caused by the drug in patients with history of stroke. Submitted data of the study included 26,449 participants.
Merck has been asked to stop the trial on patients who had stroke in recent past and, allowed to continue trial on heart attack patients who are in stable condition at present. Vorapaxar is currently being tested on patients who have recently been diagnosed with clogged leg arteries.
Latest trial data published by drug maker last month showed significant reduction in forming of blood clots, while on the other hand, it caused excessive bleeding. Experts are inconclusive whether the company would apply for approval. A trial named TRACER for same drug had failed too. It is also not clear whether Merck would conduct another trial on heart attack patients only.
Despite drug maker is quite happy with trial result, experts see very less possibility for approval. Drug usage will be limited to small group even if Vorapaxar succeeds to get approval.
BEST FOR HEART ATTACK PATIENTS
Researchers involved in trial claimed that after 30 months administered Vorapaxar met goal when it's effects were compared with other popular antiplatelet drug such as Plavix and Aspirin. In fact Vorapaxar reduced the risk of stroke, heart attack and cardiovascular diseases by 13% when compared with its other counterparts in market.
In past several decades Vorapaxar is first new antiplatelet drug which provides long time protection for to patients with history of heart attack, says Dr. David Morrow - lead researcher of the trial.
The manufacturer company is seeking approval for Vorapaxar drug since last year. But the approval is denied because of bleeding caused by the drug in patients with history of stroke. Submitted data of the study included 26,449 participants.
Merck has been asked to stop the trial on patients who had stroke in recent past and, allowed to continue trial on heart attack patients who are in stable condition at present. Vorapaxar is currently being tested on patients who have recently been diagnosed with clogged leg arteries.
Latest trial data published by drug maker last month showed significant reduction in forming of blood clots, while on the other hand, it caused excessive bleeding. Experts are inconclusive whether the company would apply for approval. A trial named TRACER for same drug had failed too. It is also not clear whether Merck would conduct another trial on heart attack patients only.
Despite drug maker is quite happy with trial result, experts see very less possibility for approval. Drug usage will be limited to small group even if Vorapaxar succeeds to get approval.
BEST FOR HEART ATTACK PATIENTS
Researchers involved in trial claimed that after 30 months administered Vorapaxar met goal when it's effects were compared with other popular antiplatelet drug such as Plavix and Aspirin. In fact Vorapaxar reduced the risk of stroke, heart attack and cardiovascular diseases by 13% when compared with its other counterparts in market.
In past several decades Vorapaxar is first new antiplatelet drug which provides long time protection for to patients with history of heart attack, says Dr. David Morrow - lead researcher of the trial.
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