AstraZeneca’s Brilique shows efficacy regardless of smoking habits

AstraZeneca has published data from a new study showing that its acute coronary syndrome therapy Brilique offers consistent performance regardless of a patient's smoking habits.

Sub-analysis of the Plato trial revealed that Brilique plus aspirin was able to deliver greater reduction in thrombotic cardiovascular events than clopidogrel plus aspirin among both smokers and non-smokers.

This study was carried out due to studies showing that habitual smoking can be linked to greater platelet reactivity, increased risk of thrombotic complications and greater efficacy of clopidogrel therapy over placebo.

Dr James Ferguson, executive director for medical affairs and strategic development, and vice-president for global medical affairs at AstraZeneca, said: "The potential impact of smoking on the effect of certain medications continues to be a topic of considerable interest and discussion among the cardiovascular community."

Last week, Brilique was granted a class I recommendation in new guidance from the European Society of Cardiology, meaning the drug has now been endorsed within a total of ten sets of global guidelines.