For patients with established heart disease who were treated with a statin, 18 novel biomarkers including C-reactive protein (CRP) did not predict future cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke, according to results of an analysis presented today at the 2009 European Society of Cardiology Congress in Barcelona, Spain. By contrast, traditional lipid risk factors were strong predictors of cardiovascular events.

Abbott (NYSE: ABT) has announced at the European Society of Cardiology Congress the widespread availability of its next-generation XIENCE PRIME(TM) Everolimus Eluting Coronary Stent System for the treatment of coronary artery disease. XIENCE PRIME, which received CE Mark (Conformite Europeenne) in June, offers a novel stent design and a delivery system designed for greater flexibility and enhanced deliverability.

AstraZeneca has announced results from the phase III head to head trial, PLATO (A Study of Platelet Inhibition and Patient Outcomes), which demonstrate that ticagrelor (BRILINTA™) has achieved greater efficacy in the primary endpoint, reduction of cardiovascular events (CV death, MI, stroke) over clopidogrel (Plavix®/Iscover®) (9.8% vs. 11.7% at 12 months; 16% RRR; 95% CI, 0.77 to 0.92; p<0.001), without an increase in major bleeding (11.6% vs. 11.2%, p=0.43).

Bayer Schering Pharma has completed patient enrollment into the Phase III ROCKET AF study (Rivaroxaban Once daily oral direct Factor Xa inhibition Compared with vitamin K antagonism for prevention of stroke and Embolism Trial in Atrial Fibrillation). The ROCKET AF study is assessing the efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban (Xarelto®) 20 mg once-daily, a novel oral, direct Factor Xa inhibitor, compared to the current standard of care, warfarin, a vitamin K antagonist (VKA) dose-adjusted, for the prevention of stroke and non-CNS systemic embolism in patients with Atrial Fibrillation (AF).

Bayer Schering Pharma has completed patient enrollment into the Phase III ROCKET AF study (Rivaroxaban Once daily oral direct Factor Xa inhibition Compared with vitamin K antagonism for prevention of stroke and Embolism Trial in Atrial Fibrillation). The ROCKET AF study is assessing the efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban (Xarelto®) 20 mg once-daily, a novel oral, direct Factor Xa inhibitor, compared to the current standard of care, warfarin, a vitamin K antagonist (VKA) dose-adjusted, for the prevention of stroke and non-CNS systemic embolism in patients with Atrial Fibrillation (AF).

Forest Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: FRX), an international pharmaceutical manufacturer and marketer and Nycomed, a privately owned pharmaceutical company, announced that results of four phase III trials have been published in the prestigious peer-reviewed medical journal The Lancet showing that roflumilast, a phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor, improved lung function and reduced exacerbations in patients with moderate to severe COPD.

Abbott has entered into an agreement with Pfizer Inc to develop a molecular diagnostic test intended to screen non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumors for the presence of gene rearrangements. Pfizer has developed a novel investigational agent that selectively targets cancer-causing genes implicated in the progress of many cancers.