TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Drugmakers Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. and Pfizer Inc. say advisers to European Union regulators are recommending approval of their anti-clotting drug for adults with a common irregular heartbeat that boosts risk of strokes or blood clots.
Partners Pfizer and Bristol-Myers, both based in New York, say advisers to the European Medicines Agency have issued a positive opinion on their drug, Eliquis (ELL'eh'kwiss).
The drug is approved in the EU for treating a much smaller group of patients, adults who have had hip or knee replacement surgery.
However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has twice rejected the drug, saying it needed more data on Eliquis.
Known chemically as apixaban (ah-PIX'ah-ban), it's one of three new medicines heavily touted for preventing blood clots and the heart attacks and strokes they can trigger.
