Apixaban, Xarelto deliver good results in studies

Pfizer and Bristol Myers Squibb's blood thinner apixaban beat aspirin in a study that may open the door to a multi-billion dollar-a-year market to prevent clots. Meanwhile, rival drug Xarelto made by Bayer delivered good results in dissolving potentially clots in the legs as well as preventing new ones--without causing either excessive bleeding or liver problems. Apixaban, a Factor Xa inhibitor, was studied in the double-blind, randomized Averroes trial that recruited 5,600...

Xarelto matches standard in head-to-head blood clot trial

Citing long-term trial results, Germany's Bayer says that its top pipeline prospect, rivaroxaban (Xarelto), was just as effective as warfarin combined with Lovenox in preventing blood clots and did not raise the risk of bleeding. The data puts Bayer on a fast track toward an application to use the drug to prevent strokes as well as deep vein thrombosis, indications that could help build billions of dollars in annual revenue. "The results of this study confirm that the novel, convenient...