[Admin]

Tuesday, 19 December 2006
Positive trial results announced for blood clot treatment

Boehringer Ingelheim has announced that its new drug to help prevent potentially fatal blood clots has been a success.

Dabigatran, which has been touted as being among the next generation of treatments for the problem, has seen successful results in its latest trial.

The company announced the positive results of the trials at the American Society of Hematology's 48th annual meeting.

If the drug wins approval, it could be the first oral treatment for this type of clots for more than 50 years.

Dr Andreas Barner, board member of Boehringer Ingelheim and responsible for research, development and medicine worldwide, commented: "We are pleased that our new oral direct thrombin inhibitor, dabigatran, has demonstrated it could fulfil the current unmet medical need for an anticoagulant that can easily be taken by orthopaedic patients."

He added that the drug can also be self-administered by patients once they had left hospital, which would further protect them against a "life-threatening thrombus", reports Doctor's Guide.

Dr Bengt Eriksson PhD of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospital Sahlgrenska / Ostra in Gothenburg, Sweden, added that the new treatment could potentially reduce the drain on hospital resources.

Copyright Adfero Ltd