Brilinta meets primary endpoint in Phase III THALES trial in stroke.- AstraZeneca

High-level results from the Phase III THALES trial showed AstraZeneca’s Brilinta (ticagrelor) 90mg used twice daily and taken with aspirin for 30 days, reached a statistically significant and clinically meaningful reduction in the risk of the primary composite endpoint of stroke and death, compared to aspirin alone. THALES was conducted in over 11,000 patients who had a minor acute ischaemic stroke or high-risk transient ischaemic attack (TIA) in the 24 hours prior to treatment initiation. The preliminary safety findings in the THALES trial were consistent with the known profile of Brilinta, with an increased bleeding rate in the treatment arm. Dr. Clay Johnston, lead investigator for the THALES trial and Dean of the Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin, US, said: “The risk of having a subsequent stroke is highest in the first few days and weeks after a minor acute ischaemic stroke or high-risk transient ischaemic attack. While an expected increase in bleeding was observed, the findings from THALES showed that Brilinta, in combination with aspirin, reduced the risk of potentially devastating events in this crucial time.” The full THALES trial results will be presented at a forthcoming medical meeting.