Eli Lilly and Daiichi Sankyo: Prasugrel superior to clopidogrel

Eli Lilly and Daiichi Sankyo have announced the results of a landmark head-to-head study showing that prasugrel is statistically superior to clopidogrel in reducing recurrent cardiovascular events, including stroke, heart attack or cardiovascular death.

Results from the phase III Triton-Timi 38 study were published in the European Heart Journal, showing patients taking prasugrel being 35 per cent less likely to have a recurrent event when compared to those taking clopidogrel.

Eli Lilly said the assessment of the recurrence of subsequent events was part of the larger Triton-Timi 38 trial.

The primary measure of the trial showed prasugrel taken with aspirin reduced the relative risk of cardiovascular death, non-fatal heart attacks or non-fatal stroke by 19 per cent when compared to clopidogrel taken with aspirin.

Elliott Antman, director of the Samuel A. Levine Cardiac Unit at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, said: “Not only do multiple heart events increase healthcare costs due to additional hospitalisations, tests and physician visits, but they also result in higher morbidity for many patients.”

In February 2008, Daiichi Sankyo said that – if approved – prasugrel would provide doctors and patients with an alternative treatment option to help reduce the risk of heart attacks.