(BPT) – Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca announced that the United States Department of Justice is closing its investigation into PLATO, a clinical trial with BRILINTA® (ticagrelor) tablets and is not planning any further action.

Last October, the company received a civil investigative demand from the US Department of Justice seeking documents and information related to the PLATO trial. AstraZeneca cooperated with the government enquiry, which focused on questions that have been raised previously in public about the trial. Similar questions have been responded to by the independent PLATO Executive Committee which led the clinical trial.

“We welcome the Department of Justice’s decision not to pursue further action,” said Pascal Soriot, Chief Executive Officer at the company. “We have always had absolute confidence in the integrity of the PLATO trial and we are proud of the important benefit BRILINTA offers to patients around the world suffering from acute coronary syndrome.”

This is welcome news for AstraZeneca as the company has designated BRILINTA as one of its growth platforms and has repeatedly expressed a commitment to delivering the full potential of this important medicine. In fact, as part of its commitment to advancing the science behind cardiovascular medicine, AstraZeneca has initiated a clinical trial program for BRILINTA, its largest program involving more than 80,000 patients worldwide.

BRILINTA is the first and only oral antiplatelet to demonstrate superior reductions in cardiovascular (CV) death vs clopidogrel in patients with ACS. BRILINTA is indicated to reduce the rate of thrombotic CV events in patients with ACS (unstable angina [UA], non–ST-elevation myocardial infarction [NSTEMI], or ST-elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI]). In PLATO, BRILINTA has been shown to reduce the rate of a combined end point of CV death, MI, or stroke compared to clopidogrel. The difference between treatments was driven by CV death and MI with no difference in stroke. In patients treated with an artery-opening procedure known as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), BRILINTA reduces the rate of stent thrombosis.

BRILINTA has been studied in ACS in combination with aspirin. Maintenance doses of aspirin above 100 mg decreased the effectiveness of BRILINTA. Avoid maintenance doses of aspirin above 100 mg daily.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT BRILINTA

WARNING: (A) BLEEDING RISK, (B) ASPIRIN DOSE AND BRILINTA EFFECTIVENESS

A. BLEEDING RISK

BRILINTA, like other antiplatelet agents, can cause significant, sometimes fatal, bleeding
Do not use BRILINTA in patients with active pathological bleeding or a history of intracranial hemorrhage
Do not start BRILINTA in patients planned to undergo urgent coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). When possible, discontinue BRILINTA at least 5 days prior to any surgery
Suspect bleeding in any patient who is hypotensive and has recently undergone coronary angiography, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), CABG, or other surgical procedures in the setting of BRILINTA
If possible, manage bleeding without discontinuing BRILINTA. Stopping BRILINTA increases the risk of subsequent cardiovascular events
B. ASPIRIN DOSE AND BRILINTA EFFECTIVENESS

Maintenance doses of aspirin above 100 mg reduce the effectiveness of BRILINTA and should be avoided. After any initial dose, use with aspirin 75 mg – 100 mg per day
CONTRAINDICATIONS

BRILINTA is contraindicated in patients with a history of intracranial hemorrhage and active pathological bleeding such as peptic ulcer or intracranial hemorrhage. BRILINTA is contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic impairment because of a probable increase in exposure; it has not been studied in these patients. Severe hepatic impairment increases the risk of bleeding because of reduced synthesis of coagulation proteins. BRILINTA is also contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity (e.g., angioedema) to ticagrelor or any component of the product
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Moderate Hepatic Impairment: Consider the risks and benefits of treatment, noting the probable increase in exposure to ticagrelor
Premature discontinuation increases the risk of MI, stent thrombosis, and death
Dyspnea was reported in 14% of patients treated with BRILINTA and in 8% of patients taking clopidogrel. Dyspnea resulting from BRILINTA is self-limiting. Rule out other causes
BRILINTA is metabolized by CYP3A4/5. Avoid use with strong CYP3A inhibitors and potent CYP3A inducers. Avoid simvastatin and lovastatin doses >40 mg
Monitor digoxin levels with initiation of, or any change in, BRILINTA therapy
ADVERSE REACTIONS

The most commonly observed adverse reactions associated with the use of BRILINTA vs clopidogrel were Total Major Bleeding (11.6% vs 11.2%) and dyspnea (14% vs 8%)
In clinical studies, BRILINTA has been shown to increase the occurrence of Holter-detected bradyarrhythmias. PLATO excluded patients at increased risk of bradycardic events. Consider the risks and benefits of treatment
Please read full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNINGS, and Medication Guide.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Patients can find out more information about BRILINTA at www.BRILINTA.com or by calling 1-888-412-7454.

AstraZeneca offers the AZ&MeTM Prescription Savings Program. To determine eligibility, patients can visit www.AZandMe.com or call 1-800-AZandMe (292-6363).

SIDEBAR:

Acute coronary syndrome or ACS is an umbrella term for conditions in which blood flow to the heart is blocked, and includes myocardial infarction (heart attack) and unstable angina. It’s estimated that over one million Americans are hospitalized with ACS each year.

2009 data; includes secondary discharge diagnoses.

American Heart Association (AHA) Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics 2013 Update, a publication of statistics on heart disease, stroke, other vascular disease, and their risk factors written in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, and other government agencies.