Sanofi-Aventis announces enexoparin trial results

Sanofi-Aventis has announced the results of its prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) events after acute ischemic stroke with LMWH enoxaparin (Prevail) trial.

The company presented the results to the American Society of Haematology, reporting a 43 per cent reduction in VTE following treatment with enoxaparin compared with those treated with unfractioned heparin (UFH).

Sanofi-Aventis also reported that there was no difference in clinically relevant bleeding, while the risk of VTE was also reduced in patients with differing levels of stroke severity.

Enoxaparin, or low molecular weight heparin, is an anticoagulant administered by injection used to prevent thrombosis in the body.

Dr David Sherman, a principal investigator in the study, said: “Balancing the benefits of lowering the risk of VTE while minimising the risk of bleeding is a very important element in choosing prophylactic regimens for this particularly fragile patient population.”

He added that the trial had resulted in new evidence showing that enoxaparin could be used by this high-risk patient population for prevention of VTE.

In September, Sanofi-Aventis announced the results of the PCI-ExtTract-Timi 25 study showing that administration with enoxaparin reduced the risk of repeat strokes and heart attacks in patients undertaking percutaenous coronary intervention.