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FDA approves anticlotting drug that targets strokes

The Food and Drug Administration said Friday that it approved an anticlotting drug called Eliquis, developed by Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. and Pfizer Inc. It’s a potential blockbuster in a new category of medicines to prevent strokes.

Published: Dec. 29, 2012 at 12:05 a.m. PST
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The Food and Drug Administration said Friday that it approved an anticlotting drug called Eliquis, developed by Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. and Pfizer Inc. It’s a potential blockbuster in a new category of medicines to prevent strokes.

The agency previously rejected the drug twice, most recently in June, awaiting additional data from company trials. The FDA cleared the pill for treating the most common type of irregular heartbeat, atrial fibrillation, in patients at risk for strokes or dangerous clots.

The FDA said it approved the drug based on an 18,000-patient study conducted by the drugmakers.

News Tribune news services

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