CORRECTION: The original version of this article stated that Effient was co-developed by Sanofi/BMS. It was actually co-developed by Eli Lilly and Daiichi Sankyo. This post has been updated to reflect that.
Dive Brief:
- AstraZeneca has initiated a preclinical development program to develop a reversal antidote(MEDI2452) for Brilinta (ticagrelor), an oral platelet inhibitor used for secondary prevention of cardiovascular (CVD) events.
- Brilinta has been a key part of AZ's defense against a takeover by Pfizer as it forecases annual sales of $3.5 billion by 2023.
- Although the market is competitive,things are looking up for Brilinta. Third quarter sales were up 68% compared with last year, and the US Department of Justice just dropped an investigation into the pivotal trial that AZ used to win approval for Brilinta.
Dive Insight:
AZ's move could to make Brilinta reversible could make all the difference for the position of Brilinta among its peers, including Eli Lilly/Daiichi Sankyo's's Effient (prasugrel). With $127 million in third quarter sales, an increase of 68% compared with Q3 2013, the company is moving forward; however, it still needs to gain traction in the marketplace. For now, AZ is defensively positioning itself to stave off Pfizer's $118 billion takeover effort by looking into the future and aggressively developing its pipeline. MEDI2452 is an important part of that strategy.