Boehringer Ingelheim announces publication of Re-Novate study

Boerhringer Ingelheim has announced that its Re-Novate study has been published in the Lancet showing positive results for the company’s direct thrombin inhibitor (DTI), dabigatran etexilate.

The September issue of the UK medical journal details the effectiveness of the DTI in extended thromboprophylaxis following total hip replacement surgery.

The results show that dabigatran etexilate, taken once daily for a median of 33 days, was just as effective as injectable enoxaparin in reducing the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) after total hip replacement surgery, with a similar low-bleeding profile.

Referring to the positive results in the Re-Novate trial, Bengt Eriksson, principal investigator based at the University Hospital Sahlgrenska/ Ostra in Sweden, said that the drug “may be an attractive alternative to other thromboprophylaxis regimens currently used to prevent VTE in patients undergoing hip replacement surgery”.

The results of the Re-Novate study will be greeted warmly as with the currently available anticoagulants there is still a limited ability to extend thromboprophylaxis in order to further reduce the risk of VTE beyond the hospital stay.

Consequently there is a significant unmet medical demand for a fixed dose oral anticoagulant with no requirements for monitoring.

Boehringer announced last year the results of its Re-Model trial which showed that the same compound dabigatran etexilate was as effective as enoxaparin in the prevention of venous thromboembolism in patients who have undergone knee replacement surgery.