Boehringer Ingelheim stroke drug backed by NICE

Boehringer Ingelheim has announced that its treatment for patients with acute iscahemic stroke, Actilyse (alteplase), has been recommended for use in the UK by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).

The institute reports that the compound has displayed efficacy in treating the condition within a three-hour window following stroke, with this information based on the results of a number of clinical trials involving over 2,800 patients, with special attention paid to the safe implementation of thrombolysis in stroke (Sits-Most) trial.

In these studies it was shown that patients administered with Actilyse saw improved outcomes of death and dependency measured at three months compared to those receiving placebo.

Manfred Haehl, corporate senior vice-president of medicine at the firm, said: “Boehringer Ingelheim welcomes the endorsement of Actilyse from NICE.

“Actilyse can improve the clinical outcome for patients who have suffered an acute ischaemic stroke.”

He added that this improvement is vital, as patients with an acute ischaemic stroke can suffer significant mortality and disability, while the NICE recommendation will widen access to Actilyse in the UK.

In January 2007, Boehringer Ingelheim announced the publication of the results of its Sits-Most trial with the data confirming the safety and efficacy of Actilyse as a clot-busting treatment for acute ischaemic stroke patients.