Daiichi Sankyo sales and marketing update

The German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) said in a dossier assessment that Lixiana edoxaban from Daiichi has a “considerable” added benefit in comparison with vitamin K antagonists to prevent stroke and systemic embolism in adults with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and other risk factors. However, IQWiG concluded the oral Factor Xa inhibitor had “no hint of an added benefit” to treat and prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). The U.K.’s NICE recommended Lixiana for both indications in July.

IQWiG said Daiichi did not provide suitable data, including separate analyses for patients receiving Lixiana for 3-6 months for acute treatment or short-term prevention vs. those receiving the drug for more than 3-6 months as long-term prevention. According to the agency, “a distinction has to be made between two patient populations that require different treatment durations.” ...