J&J's Xarelto has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in a unique oral formulation that is taken once per day. The Company considers it one of its top 6 candidates in the pipeline and analysts believe it is poised to take a healthy share of what could be a $20 billion market. The current market standard, warfarin, has been in practice for more than 50 years but has safety issues that could be improved upon by the newer competitors coming to market now.
J&J's approval -- though delayed for a couple years in the FDA -- still places it ahead of rival Pfizer's efforts with its own Factor Xa inhibitor, apixaban. The head starts may be worth millions in the market place. J&J is also pursuing additional applications for Xarelto -- the next being the prevention of strokes in patients suffering from atrial fibrillation. See Fierce Biotech.
Posted by Bruce Lehr July 5th 2011.
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