Lilly reports data from new Effient clinical trial

Lilly's Effient has been shown to help reduce mortality rates among certain patient groups compared to an alternative during a recent clinical trial.

The pharmaceutical company compared the performance of its prasugrel-based therapy to a leading rival among acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients who were scheduled to undergo coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

Results from the phase III study demonstrated that rates of all-cause mortality were reduced among patients using Effient, as was the risk-adjusted rate of cardiovascular death at 30 days.

Effient was also shown to be associated with a higher volume of chest tube blood loss, which tallies with existing information supplied by Lilly in the drug's prescribing information.

Dr Peter Smith, professor of surgery and division chief of cardiovascular and thoracic surgery at Duke University Medical Center, said: "This analysis helps better define the risk of mortality for physicians who care for the ACS patients who may be targeted for percutaneous coronary intervention but end up undergoing CABG instead."

Earlier this month, Lilly announced plans to acquire Avid Radiopharmaceuticals, a specialist in the field of chronic disease.