Novartis set to begin late-stage testing of blood thinner

Portola Pharmaceuticals' partner Novartis will begin final-stage testing of the blood thinner elinogrel after researchers found the drug provides more rapid and greater antiplatelet activity than Plavix. The late-stage tests are slated to begin during the first quarter of 2011, Portola says. In a randomized, double-blind, multi-center Phase II trial, researchers compared IV and oral elinogrel against clopidogrel in addition to standard of care in approximately 650...