Crestor sales hopes raised by JUPITER trial

Anglo-Swedish drug major AstraZeneca has stopped a study of Crestor (rosuvastatin) because the drug was so effective. The JUPITER trial, which was investigating the cholesterol-lowerer in patients with no pre-existing cardiovascular disease and low levels of harmful cholesterol, found clear evidence that it reduces CV deaths compared to placebo and was stopped on the recommendation of the independent monitoring committee.

Crestor is AstraZeneca's third-biggest drug, earning $2.80 billion in full-year 2007, on strong growth in the USA of 24% and 45% elsewhere (Marketletter February 11). The good news on the JUPITER trial adds to strong efficacy data on Crestor released at this year's meeting of the American Association of Cardiology (see page 19). The day after the two announcements, April 1, shares in the London-headquartered drugmaker jumped 6.9%.

Increased sales potential