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European commission approves Efient

23 Feb 2009

The European commission has given marketing authorisation for Efient, a drug intended for the prevention of atherothrombotic events in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention, it has been reported.

Daiichi Sankyo Company and Eli Lilly explain the approval follows the adoption of positive opinion by the European Medicines Agency''s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use in December 2008.

Chairman, president and chief executive officer of Lilly Dr John C Lechleiter said the move is a "major step forward" in terms of providing healthcare professionals and patients in European countries a new ACS treatment option.

"The approval of Efient helps to meet an important medical need. Survivors of heart attacks have a substantial risk of suffering from one or more additional heart attacks," he added.

In recent days, Lilly announced the appointment of Ralph Alvarez as a new member of its board of directors.

He will take up his position on April 1st.