AstraZeneca begins new clinical study of Brilinta

AstraZeneca has initiated a new clinical study of its acute coronary syndrome (ACS) treatment Brilinta (ticagrelor), in order to assess its potential efficacy as a longer-term therapy.

The Pegasus-TIMI 54 trial is being conducted in collaboration with the Brigham and Women's Hospital-based Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction Study Group and will begin enrolment in the fourth quarter of this year.

It will aim to determine whether a regimen of the oral antiplatelet ticagrelor and aspirin for over a period of one to three years can offer recent heart attack patients better protection from further cardiovascular events.

Current guidelines recommend use of a dual antiplatelet therapy for the first year after a heart attack, followed by further treatment using aspirin alone.

Dr Jonathan Fox, vice-president of clinical development at AstraZeneca, said: "This study represents a further investment in our understanding of ticagrelor and the impact on post-ACS patients over the long term."

Last month, the company also began a new clinical study programme for fostamatinib, a promising investigational treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.