AstraZeneca receives European approval for Vimovo

AstraZeneca has hailed the approval of its collaboratively-developed arthritis treatment Vimovo as a "significant milestone".

The modified release tablet has received an agreement for approval in 22 EU countries after being ratified by the Netherlands Health Authority, acting in the capacity of a reference member state for the decentralised procedure.

AstraZeneca and Pozen's drug is specified for use against conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis and has demonstrated its efficacy in key clinical trials.

Lori Kreamer, vice-president for global products at AstraZeneca, said the treatment delivers proven effectiveness and ulcer risk reduction in a single tablet.

She added: "We believe [it] will provide a new treatment option for the millions of arthritis patients in the EU at risk of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-associated ulcers."

Last week, AstraZeneca commenced a new clinical trial of Brilinta as a new therapy option for acute coronary syndrome.