Boehringer-Ingelheim’s dabigatran etexilate “exceeds expectations”

Boehringer-Ingelheim has unveiled the positive results of a trial involving the novel oral direct thrombin inhibitor dabigatran etexilate.

The study showed the drug to be superior to warfarin, an alternative treatment for the condition, especially in tackling bleeding in those at risk of suffering from strokes.

Additionally, superior reduction in hemorrhagic strokes was demonstrated with both 150 mg and 110 mg BID doses, as well as a reduction in vascular mortality with a 150 mg BID dose.

Professor Stuart Connolly, director of the division of cardiology at the Population Health Research Institute, said that dabigatran etexilate “exceeded all our expectations”.

“We now have an oral treatment which offers superior protection from stroke with less bleeding and without the need for routine monitoring,” he added.

Another trial Boehringer-Ingleheim announced the results of recently was that involving the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treatment tiotropium (Spiriva Handihaler), which resulted in noticeable lung function improvements in patients.