New data boosts case for extended use of AstraZeneca heart drug

LONDON: AstraZeneca's blood-thinner Brilinta cuts the risk of cardiovascular death by 29 percent in patients with a history of past heart attacks who keep taking it beyond the standard 12-month initial period, according to new clinical trial data.

The findings, to be presented at the Aug. 26-30 European Society of Cardiology congress, are from a sub-analysis of the Pegasus clinical trial, which first reported positive results in 2015.

The trial studied subjects who had a heart attack within the past one to three years and was designed to prove the value of the extended use of Brilinta, which is a key product for AstraZeneca.

The sub-analysis also showed a risk reduction of 20 percent in all causes of death, while bleeding rates were consistent with the drug's safety profile, AstraZeneca said on Thursday.