Biotech Values

[DewDiligence]

AZN Ends Crestor Study Early Due to Big Benefits

[Yet another blow for MRK and SGP.]

http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUKL3138183920080331

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Mon Mar 31, 2008 2:47am EDT

LONDON, March 31 (Reuters) - AstraZeneca Plc (AZN) said on Monday it had decided to stop a clinical trial of its blockbuster cholesterol-lowering Crestor early because of the clear benefits of the medicine compared to placebo.

The so-called Jupiter study was designed to see if giving Crestor to patients with no sign of pre-existing cardiovascular disease and low to normal levels of "bad" LDL cholesterol but raised C-reactive protein (CRP) would reduce heart attacks and other major cardiovascular events.

CRP, an inflammatory biomarker, is known to be associated with heart attack risk.

The Independent Data Monitoring Board, which met on March 29, decided there was unequivocal evidence of a reduction in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality among patients on Crestor in the study.

The news is a boost for the Anglo-Swedish company's drug, which sold $2.8 billion worldwide last year. Crestor is a key product for AstraZeneca as other medicines face slower growth and the threat of generic competition.

Crestor could also benefit from current controversy over another cholesterol fighter, Vytorin, from Merck & Co. Full data on a major clinical trial of Vytorin presented at a U.S. medical meeting at the weekend failed to quell concerns it might not be as good as originally thought and an expert panel recommended that patients in future stick with statins, like Crestor.
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