Sanofi And BMS Launch Plavix In Europe

Sanofi and Bristol-Myers Squibb have launched Plavix (clopidogrel) inthe UK and Germany, its first European markets, for reduction of stroke, myocardial infarction and vascular death in patients with a history of ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction and peripheral vascular disease. The antiplatelet drug is the first ADP receptor antagonist to be licensed in Europe, having been approved by the European Commission on July 15 (Marketletter July 20).

Sales of the drug in the USA, where it was launched in March, reached 173 million French francs ($29.4 million) by the end of the second quarter. Analysts predict Plavix could reach sales of over $500 million per year by 2002 (Marketletter April 6).

Results from the large CAPRIE trial comparing Plavix (75mg per day) with aspirin (375mg per day) have shown that Plavix prevents an estimated 26% more events than aspirin which equates to an 8.7% additional risk reduction in ischemic events (Marketletter November 18, 1996).