Daiichi Sankyo Shares Gain After Prasugrel Drug Study (Japan)
This article was originally published in PharmAsia News
Executive Summary
Promising results from a large, late-stage clinical trial sent Daiichi Sankyo's share's skyrocketing 7.4 percent Monday, the company's biggest single gain since it went public on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 2005. A late-stage study of 13,608 patients found prasugrel was more effective than market leader Plavix in preventing heart attacks. Results presented at the American Heart Association's yearly meeting showed only 9.9 percent of patients who took prasugrel suffered major cardiovascular events during the trial, compared to 12 percent of those on Plavix. The study, sponsored by Daiichi and co-developer Eli Lilly, also showed prasugrel was faster acting than Plavix. Recently, Daiichi and Lily halted two prasugrel trials, citing a need for dosing changes. The announcement made many insiders worry there might be serious risks associated with the drug. Although prasugrel did show a higher bleeding risk than Plavix, researchers say it should not be enough to prevent regulatory approval. (Click here for more - May Require Free Registration