Merck Sharpe and Dohme publishes positive antithrombotic drug data

Merck Sharpe and Dohme has announced positive new clinical data showing the benefits of its investigational antithrombotic medicine.

Data from the TRA-2P trial showed that the investigational compound vorapaxar, when added to the current standard of care, can help to greatly reduce occurrence of cardiovascular events among patients with a prior disease history.

It represents the first time that an antithrombotic medicine has been shown to help prevent cardiovascular death, heart attack, stroke or urgent coronary revascularisation in a secondary prevention setting.

This new treatment is aimed at addressing the significant residual risk for recurrence that remains a key issue in the treatment of cardiovascular events.

Dr Francis Plat, vice president for clinical research and therapeutic area head for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease at Merck Research Laboratories, said: "We plan to continue our discussions with the investigators and other outside experts to help define the role of this investigational compound in secondary prevention."

Earlier this month, the company received a recommendation from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence for the unrestricted use of its hepatitis C treatment Victrelis.