Johnson & Johnson’s blood thinner Xarelto worked as well as standard treatment in preventing the recurrence of blood clots in the lung with half the risk of severe bleeding, a study found. The 4,833-patient study, sponsored by J&J and its partner Bayer AG (BAYN), found that the new blood thinner could safely and effectively replace a more complicated two drug regimen used to treat patients suffering symptoms of potentially life- threatening blood clots in the lungs. The finding, presented at the American College of Cardiology in Chicago today, could add to a lucrative market for Xarelto, approved last year for preventing strokes in patients with irregular heart rhythms.
