Pfizer and Bristol-Myers get first approval for blood thinner Eliquis, in EU

Following a positive recommendation from its drug advisory body (The Pharma Letter March 21), the European Commission has approved Eliquis (apixaban) in the 27 countries of the European Union for the prevention of venous thromboembolic events (VTE) in adult patients who have undergone elective hip or knee replacement surgery.

This decision marks the first approval for Eliquis, a new oral direct Factor Xa inhibitor being developed through collaborations between US drug majors of Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) and Pfizer (NYSE: PFE). Analysts believe the drug could generate sales in excess of $1 billion in this indication, and could achieve a turnover of $2.63 billion if broader indications are approved, according to the average estimate of three analysts surveyed by Bloomberg.

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