Boehringer Ingelheim announced that the European Commission has granted marketing approval for its novel, direct thrombin inhibitor, Pradaxa (dabigatran etexilate) in all 27 EU member states. It is anticipated that Pradaxa will be launched in Germany and the UK in the coming weeks. Pradaxa is approved for the prevention of venous thromboembolic events in adults who have undergone elective total hip or total knee replacement surgery.
Wyeth and Progenics Pharmaceuticals received Canadian marketing approval for Relistor, a drug for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation in patients with advanced illness. Wyeth expects the drug to be available to patients in Canada within 60 days. The companies anticipate an FDA decision on Relistor by the end of April.
