Lixiana presents mixed bag in latest analysis

Daiichi Sankyo (TYO: 4568) published a report on Monday, identifying Lixiana (edoxaban) as an appropriate alternative to current standard of care Fragmin (dalteparin), in patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE), but raising a red flag for patients with gastrointestinal cancer.

VTE, the formation of blood clots in a patient's veins, is a common side-effect of cancer. Around 10 million cases are recorded each year, while in the USA alone, approximately 200,000 people die from VTE annually. In the UK, it is the most common cause of preventable hospital mortality.

The Daiichi report shows a 3.4% reduction in recurrent VTE in patients taking Lixiana against those taking Fragmin, a Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) therapy. The rates of major bleeding were 2.9% higher, however. Some 32 of the 522 Lixiana patients in the study experienced major bleeds, and 62.5% of those needed to be hospitalized. Meanwhile, 16 out of 524 Fragmin-taking patients experienced bleeding — though 81.3% of these required hospitalization.