Prepare your Hemostat's - Here Come the Anti-Coagulants

Aug 24 (Reuters) - Rival drugmakers are racing to develop
new oral anticoagulants to replace difficult-to-use warfarin for
the prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation, a
common irregular heart rhythm.
Industry analysts estimate the market will be worth well
over $10 billion in annual sales, making so-called Factor Xa and
direct thrombin inhibitors among the most valuable and closely
watch new drugs in development.
Medical experts and investors will focus on clinical trial
results for two of them -- Bayer (BAYGn.DE) and Johnson &
Johnson's (JNJ.N) Xarelto, and Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY.N) and
Pfizer's (PFE.N) apixaban -- during the European Society of
Cardiology congress in Stockholm next week.
The table below shows a selection new oral anticoagulants in
development. Pradaxa and Xarelto have already been approved for
use in Europe and some other markets to prevent thrombosis after
surgery, but not yet for stroke prevention:

DRUG COMPANY MECHANISM STATUS

Pradaxa Boehringer Direct thrombin launched EU
Xarelto Bayer/J&J Factor Xa launched EU
apixaban Bristol/Pfizer Factor Xa Phase III
edoxaban Daiichi Factor Xa Phase III
YM150 Astellas Factor Xa Phase III
otamixaban Sanofi Factor Xa Phase III
betrixaban Merck Factor Xa Phase II
letaxaban Takeda Factor Xa Phase II
Source: Thomson Reuters