Schering Plough confirms positive results for antiplatelet agent

Schering-Plough has confirmed results demonstrating that its investigational antiplatelet agent can inhibit platelet aggregation in patients undergoing non-urgent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

The data is part of a thrombin receptor antagonist – percutaneous coronary intervention (TRA-PCI) Phase II trial and will be presented at this week’s American Heart Association Scientific Sessions.

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic analysis was carried out on the potent thrombin receptor agonist SCH 530348 (TRA), which showed sustained, dose-dependent, specific agonist-induced inhibition of platelet aggregation in blood samples in PCI patients.

Lisa K Jennings, the lead author of the study, indicated that inhibition of platelet aggregation plays a “critical role” in reducing the formation of blood clots in patients undergoing PCI.

“TRA’s potentially unique mechanism of action inhibits platelet aggregation through a different pathway from other antiplatelet agents currently available,” she added.

Rick Veltri, group vice-president of Global Clinical Research at the Schering-Plough Research Institute, stated that the results built on evidence indicating that “TRA may be a promising therapeutic option for patients with unstable angina undergoing PCI”.

Last month, Schering-Plough announced that it had received marketing approval by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare for its Claritin Dry Syrup formulation for treatment in patients aged three and older.