BRIEF—J&J wins US approval for new Xarelto indication

Johnson & Johnson has won US approval for Xarelto (rivaroxaban) to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events in people with chronic coronary or peripheral artery disease.

The decision means Xarelto is the first and only Factor Xa inhibitor approved for patients living with these conditions.

This new indication is based on results from the COMPASS trial, which showed a 24% reduction of the risk of major cardiovascular events in patients who took Xarelto plus aspirin, compared with those who took aspirin alone.