Biotech Values

[DewDiligence]

AZN reports positive phase-3 data for Brilinta in secondary prevention of MACE:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/pegasus-timi-54-study-brilinta-120000356.html

AstraZeneca (AZN) today announced that the PEGASUS-TIMI 54 study, a large scale outcomes trial involving over 21,000 patients, successfully met its primary efficacy endpoint. The study assessed BRILINTA (ticagrelor) tablets at either 60mg twice daily or 90mg twice daily plus low-dose aspirin for the secondary prevention of atherothrombotic events in patients who had experienced a heart attack one to three years prior to study start. The primary efficacy endpoint was a composite of cardiovascular (CV) death, myocardial infarction (MI) or stroke.

Preliminary analysis did not reveal any unexpected safety issues. Full evaluation of the data is ongoing.

These top-line results ought to boost Brilinta’s sales, which have been disappointing to date; however, the magnitude of the boost will depend a lot on the actual risk reduction observed in this trial, which wasn't disclosed today. Moreover, generic Plavix remains an obstacle to commercial uptake.