Lilly’s Prasugrel receives positive EU opinion

Lilly’s Prasugrel has received positive opinion from the European Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP).

The drug – also developed by Daiichi Sankyo – is a treatment for the prevention of atherothrombotic events in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS), undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

As a result of the positive opinion, it is hoped the product will receive approval in the next two to three months.

Subject to the endorsement, the antiplatelet agent is expected to be marketed throughout the European Union under the proposed brand name Efient.

John Alexander, global head of research and development at Daiichi Sankyo, said: “We are extremely pleased by the CHMP positive recommendation for approval of prasugrel in Europe.

“Based on the study results and the positive recommendation, we are hopeful that prasugrel will be approved as a new treatment option.”

Last week, Lilly said it had “moderately raised” its first quarter dividend.

The company’s board of directors approved a dividend of $0.49 (0.32 pounds) per share for the period, which will be payable on March 10th next year to shareholders.

It is a 4.3 per cent increase from Lilly’s prior quarterly amount of $0.47.