Daiichi Sankyo shows DU-176b results

Daiichi Sankyo has revealed the phase II results of its investigational oral Factor Xa inhibitor DU-176b.

The drug, used in once-daily doses of either 30mg or 60mg by patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation, was found to produce effects of "comparable safety and tolerability" in comparison to those being administered warfarin.

Daiichi Sankyo’s results – revealed at the 50th annual meeting of the American Society of Haematology in San Francisco – have given the company "confidence" in its evaluation of doses for a phase III clinical trial, according to Francis Plat, vice-president of clinical development at the Pharma Development division.

"We are hopeful that DU-176b may one day provide the community a safe and convenient treatment in the prevention of stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation," he said.

Non-bleeding events described as "major and clinically relevant" for the once-daily dose group were similar to patients taking warfarin, while those in the twice-daily DU-176b dose group reported significantly higher instances.

Daiichi Sankyo has also announced it has set up a subsidiary in Ireland, people looking for science sales jobs may also be interested to know.