GlaxoSmithKline SVT treatment granted EU recommendation

GlaxoSmithKline has received a regulatory recommendation for what could become the first treatment for superficial vein thrombosis (SVT) to be approved in Europe.

The European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use has granted a positive opinion on approval of a new indication of Arixtra (fondaparinux), which has already been ratified as a treatment for conditions such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

This new indication would allow the drug to be used on adults with acute symptomatic spontaneous SVT of the lower limbs without concomitant DVT, an application in which Arixtra has proven its efficacy in clinical trials.

Dr Tony Hoos, senior vice-president for European medical affairs at GlaxoSmithKline, said: “SVT is a condition that can lead to serious and even life-threatening complications. We expect that fondaparinux will be an important option for the treatment of SVT.”

Last week, GlaxoSmithKline published its financial report for the second quarter of 2010, a period which saw its sales increase to 14.4 billion pounds.