Boehringer Ingelheim extends study for new anti-blood clotting drug

Boehringer Ingelheim has confirmed that it is to continue testing its new anti-blood clotting drug dabigatran etexilate.

Thomson Financial reports that the German pharmaceutical company is to extend the study to incorporate patients who have suffered Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS).

ACS patients who have already suffered a heart attack will be included in the trials, according to a statement issued by Boehringer Ingelheim.

A phase II trial for the new indication will now be launched while other indications are nearing the end of their clinical development in preparation for regulatory submission.

Judith Von Gorman, a spokeswoman for the firm, stated that the company now expected dabigatran etexilate to receive regulatory approval in Europe in 2008.

Subject to regulatory approval, Dabigatran etexilate will be marketed under the brand name Pradaxa.

Last month, Boehringer Ingelheim released guidelines relating to the treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) after the results from its INSPIRE study were published.

The study compared the efficacy of salmeterol and fluticasone propionate (SFC – Seretide) and tiotropium (Spiriva) on exacerbations leading to treatment in patients with severe and very severe COPD and a history of exacerbations.