Daiichi Sankyo receives NICE recommendation for Lixiana

Daiichi Sankyo has announced that its drug Lixiana has received a new recommendation from the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

A final appraisal determination from the regulator has endorsed the edoxaban-based therapy as a means of preventing stroke and systemic embolism in people with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.

The novel oral anticoagulant was deemed to be cost-effective compared with warfarin and was recommended as an alternative to warfarin for patients who have one or more risk factors for stroke.

Warfarin has been widely used for more than 50 years but requires frequent monitoring to ensure the drug is working properly, as well as being associated with many food or drug interactions.

Dr Simon Clough, UK managing director for Daiichi Sankyo, said: "We are very pleased to be able to offer patients and doctors in England and Wales a new, convenient-to-use alternative in the treatment armoury against atrial fibrillation-related illness."

A recent Daiichi Sankyo survey indicated that 68 percent of atrial fibrillation patients experienced symptoms before their first consultation with a doctor, with the average delay before seeking medical help being two years.