GlaxoSmithKline drug Arixtra comparable to Lovenox, study says

By Elaine Rigoli

Tampa, Fla., April 6 - GlaxoSmithKline's antithrombotic medicine Arixtra (fondaparinux sodium) significantly reduced major bleeding by nearly half (48%) as compared to Lovenox (enoxaparin) at day nine in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS), according to a news release.

ACS accounts for about 2.5 million hospital admissions worldwide and is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in Western countries, the release said.

Previous studies have shown that blood thinners can substantially reduce the risk of heart attacks in patients with ACS; however, this may be accompanied by an increased risk of major bleeding.

Therefore, there is a need for effective therapies in ACS with a lower incidence of major bleeding, the release said.

Arixtra is not approved for use in any country in patients with ACS.

The data was published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine from Oasis 5, one of the largest clinical trials ever conducted in patients with ACS.

GlaxoSmithKline is a London-based pharmaceutical company.

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