Boehringer Ingelheim publishes dabigatran etexilate trial data

Boehringer Ingelheim has published clinical data on its dabigatran etexilate treatment for stroke sufferers which highlight its potential advantages.

The investigational treatment was shown in the study to offer superior stroke reduction among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) when compared to warfarin, the current standard of care.

Moreover, both dosages of the drug studied in the RE-LY trial demonstrated lower rates of associated bleeding than warfarin among those considered at a low risk of stroke.

Dr Adrian Brady, consultant cardiologist at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, suggested this could prove significant for the many UK AF sufferers who are not being treated with warfarin over concerns about bleeding.

He said: “The results of this trial not only address that concern, they also confirm that dabigatran etexilate has the potential to improve stroke prevention.”

Last month, the company agreed a deal to purchase all outstanding shares of the Japanese healthcare firm SSP in order to make it a wholly-owned Boehringer Ingelheim subsidiary.