Sanofi-Aventis announces results of thromboembolism trials

Sanofi-Aventis has announced the results of trials of idraparinux, a new generation synthetic anti-coagulant, for patients at risk of thromboemolism.

In the first part of the Van Gogh programme, the efficacy and safety of a once-weekly subcutaneous administration of idraparinux compared with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) followed by three-to-six months adjust-dose vitamin K antagonist (VKA).

The second part of the Van Gogh programme investigated a further six months treatment with idraparinux compared to a placebo.

Pr Harry Buller, chairman of the Van Gogh Steering Committee, reported that much research has been carried out in the past decade in an attempt to replace the “cumbersome” VKA treatment, with idraparinux a potential once-weekly replacement treatment for thrombemobolism and its complications.

“Once a week treatment with idraparinux offers a new paradigm for patients with a good acceptability and more especially the reversible biotinylated idrapranux, which is a big step forward, well suited for a long-acting agent.”

Last week, Sanofi-Aventis announced the upholding of the preliminary injunction issued by the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

The injunction ordered Apotex to cease sales of a generic form of clopidogrel bisulfate, a competitor drug for Plavix from Sanofi and Bristol-Myers Squibb.