Bayer HealthCare’s Xarelto shows efficacy for pulmonary embolism

Bayer HealthCare has published new clinical data that demonstrates the benefits offered by its drug Xarelto (rivaroxaban) as a treatment for pulmonary embolism patients.

Results from the phase III Einstein-PE study have shown that Xarelto can offer comparable safety and efficacy to the current standard of care in treating patients with acute symptomatic pulmonary embolism and preventing them from developing secondary venous blood clots.

Moreover, Bayer HealthCare's drug showed benefits in terms of avoiding major bleeding events compared to subcutaneous enoxaparin followed by a vitamin K antagonist, the current standard regimen.

The manufacturer now plans to seek approval for Xarelto in this indication during the second quarter of 2012.

Dr Kemal Malik, member of the Bayer HealthCare executive committee and head of global development, said: "These results reinforce the clinical importance of rivaroxaban in treating the even more dangerous pulmonary blood clots and preventing their recurrence."

Earlier this month, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence asked Bayer to provide more evidence to support a potential UK recommendation of Xarelto as a therapy for deep vein thrombosis.