Prasugrel gets nod from CHMP

The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) has issued a positive opinion  recommending approval of prasugrel for the prevention of  atherothrombotic events in patients with acute coronary syndromes  undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

The anti-clotting drug developed by Japanese drugmaker Daiichi Sankyo  and US pharmaceutical major Eli Lilly will now be referred to the  European Commission, with a final decision expected in two to three  months. Upon approval, the drug will be marketed in the European Union  under the proposed brand name Efient.

At its recent analyst day, senior Lilly executives said the company  continues to invest heavily in the ongoing development of prasugrel,  which is potentially one of the most lucrative products in its pipeline  and essential for replacing revenue lost from approaching patent  expirations.