GlaxoSmithKline's Arixtra Receives European Authorisation For The Treatment Of Acute Coronary Syndromes

GlaxoSmithKline announced that the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) has authorised a new indication for its once-daily anticoagulant ARIXTRA 2.5 mg (fondaparinux sodium) for the treatment of specific acute coronary syndromes (ACS). ACS conditionsaffect approximately 3 million people worldwide1,2 andinclude chest pain (unstable angina [UA]) and two specific types of heart attacks (NSTEMI* and STEMI**).


"The mortality benefit with fondaparinux compared to enoxaparin and the European authorisation of fondaparinux may allow physicians to consider a new treatment option for appropriate ACS patients," said Andrew Zambanini, MD, Director, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine Development Centre, GSK. "GSK is committed to continuing to support therapies for cardiac patients around the world."


This authorisation coincides with newly published European Society of Cardiology guidelines that have given only fondaparinux the highest (grade 1A) recommendation for the anticoagulant treatment of UA/NSTEMI patients, as long as a decision between early invasive (