Boehringer Ingelheim publishes positive new data for AF drug

Boehringer Ingelheim's new atrial fibrillation (AF) treatment dabigatran etexilate has demonstrated its efficacy in a major trial programme.

Data from the RE-LY study, which was the largest AF clinical trial to date, showed that the treatment offers superior performance to warfarin in preventing strokes among AF patients, regardless of their disease type or overall stroke risk.

It was also shown to offer a favourable benefit/risk profile and efficacy across both of the dosage strengths tested in the study.

Professor Gregory Lip of the University of Birmingham Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences said the data supports the usage of drugs of this kind in addressing the need for better stroke prevention treatments for AF sufferers.

"Any stroke risk factor in association with AF can cause a stroke and if we are serious about preventing strokes, the most effective treatment is oral anticoagulation therapy," he explained.

Earlier this week, Boehringer Ingelheim announced plans to commence a phase III study of BI 201335, a promising new therapy for hepatitis C.