Sanofi’s Multaq in pole position for AF market
pharmafile | September 6, 2010 | News story | Sales and Marketing | Multaq, Sanofi-Aventis, atrial fibrilation
New European Society of Cardiology guidelines on treating atrial fibrillation (AF) include a recommendation for Sanofi-Aventis’ Multaq.
The endorsement is a major tonic for Sanofi, which is hoping Multaq (dronedarone) could be a blockbuster and a leader in the field of atrial fibrillation.
The company has to convince cardiologists that Multaq should be used instead of older drugs such as amiodarone, and that it can stop patients developing more serious problems, such as stroke and hospitalisation.
The guidelines suggest the company has done just that in Europe, helping to put it ahead of a number of rival new treatments coming on to the market.
Multaq was granted a Class I recommendation, denoting general agreement on its value, and was awarded the highest ‘A’ rating for the evidence generated to support it.
The comprehensive guidance document says the new drug should be used for maintenance of sinus rhythm as a first line treatment option in all patients with paroxysmal and persistent AF (class of recommendation I, level of evidence A) other than those with CHF NYHA class III/IV or unstable CHF NYHA class II (class of recommendation III, level of evidence B).
The guidelines are much more favourable than those just produced by the UK’s cost-effectiveness watchdog NICE. It recommends Multaq as a second line, and only in a very defined patient population.
Moreover, the guidelines recommend Multaq to achieve rate control in non- permanent AF except for patients with NYHA class III – IV or unstable heart failure (class of recommendation IIa, level of evidence B).
For the first time, the guidelines say reducing hospitalisation is a key therapeutic goal in the management of AF. It also says Multaq should be considered in order to reduce cardiovascular hospitalisation in patients with non-permanent AF and cardiovascular risk factors (Class IIa, evidence B) as well as in patients with AF and stable heart failure (NYHA Class I, II) (Class IIa, evidence C).
Multaq is known to potentially cause serious problems and even death in patients with recent and severe heart failure, and is contraindicated in these patients.
Marc Cluzel, Sanofi’s head of R&D, said the company was pleased with the guidelines, and said its ATHENA trial demonstrated Multaq’s ability to cut hospitalisation rates.
“Multaq provides symptom control and for the first time for an anti-arrhythmic drug, a long term benefit by reducing the risk of distressing and repeat cardiovascular hospitalisations.”
Cluzel added: “AF hospitalisations represent a significant human and economic burden for patients, healthcare practitioners and payers as recently reported.”
Andrew McConaghie
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