Merck Sharpe and Dohme granted EU backing for Brinavess

Merck Sharpe and Dohme has received EU marketing approval for Brinavess, its collaboratively-developed treatment for atrial fibrillation.

The company, in association with development partner Cardiome Pharma, has been granted authorisation to market the drug for rapid conversion of recent onset atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm in adults.

This decision was based on positive data from recently concluded clinical trials, which illustrated the effectiveness of the drug when compared to placebo.

Merck Sharpe and Dohme now plans to begin introducing Brinavess to the EU, Iceland and Norway in the fourth quarter of this year.

Patrick Magri, senior vice-president and general manager of the cardiovascular franchise at Merck, said: "This medicine offers physicians, patients and hospitals an important new therapy option to use for the rapid treatment of recent-onset atrial fibrillation."

Last month, Merck Sharpe and Dohme was granted a recommendation from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence for the combination therapy of peginterferon alfa and ribavirin for sufferers of hepatitis C.