Bayer trials: Xarelto drug showed positive results

Bayer has said its clinical trials of its Xarelto drug showed positive study results.

Used as an anti-clotting medication, the product is jointly developed with Johnson & Johnson and was found to be more effective than the current standard therapy – with similar side-effects.

The study took into account data from previously published research and involved 12,700 patients in order to assess the drug’s suitability to prevent thrombosis in patients recovering from major orthopaedic operations.

Alexander Turpie, a professor of medicine at McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada, said the trials showed the product “was superior to enoxaparin-based treatment regimens for the prevention of venous thromboembolism”.

He added patients showed “low rates of major bleeding that were not statistically different from the comparator”.

In other news, Bayer said earlier this week it will present data on Campath (alemtuzumab) and Leukine (sargramostim) at an annual meeting.

Clinical investigators from oncology and haematology research centres will present data through poster and oral presentations – reporting important findings in leukemia-related disorders.

Speaking at the time, Pam Cyrus, vice-president of medical affairs and oncology at Bayer Healthcare, said the studies demonstrate the company’s commitment to supporting research, in order to “benefit the lives of people living with cancer”.