PRINCETON, N.J. & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) and Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) today announced results of a pre-specified secondary analysis of the Eliquis Phase 3 AMPLIFY-EXT trial (Apixaban after the initial Management of PuLmonary embolIsm and deep vein thrombosis with First-line therapY-EXTended Treatment). The analysis evaluated clinical and demographic predictors of all-cause hospitalization in patients with VTE, which includes deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). Results from this analysis demonstrated that during the 12-month extended treatment of VTE, Eliquis significantly reduced the risk of hospitalization versus placebo. This effect was independent of other variables including renal function, the only other significant predictor of hospitalization in the AMPLIFY-EXT population. These data were presented during an oral session today in Barcelona, Spain, at the ESC Congress 2014.

"The results of this AMPLIFY-EXT secondary analysis showed that Eliquis significantly reduced the risk of hospitalization, irrespective of other variables," said Dr. Alexander T. Cohen, study investigator and consultant physician, Department of Hematology, Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals, King's College, London. "The findings from this secondary analysis provide additional support for extended anticoagulation with Eliquis in VTE patients."

AMPLIFY-EXT was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled extended treatment superiority study with 12 months of treatment plus one month follow-up in patients with VTE who completed six to 12 months of anticoagulation therapy. The secondary analysis presented today showed that, compared with placebo, Eliquis 2.5 mg (p=0.032) and 5 mg (p=0.004) were both associated with significant reduction in all-cause hospitalization. Of the 2,486 patients included in the AMPLIFY-EXT trial, 138 patients were hospitalized at least once, including 62 (7.48%) in the placebo group (n=829), 42 (5.00%) in the Eliquis 2.5 mg group (n=840), and 34 (4.18%) in the Eliquis 5 mg group (n=813). Of the first hospitalizations in the placebo group, a total of 32 (51.6%) were attributed to VTE recurrence versus six (17.7%) in the Eliquis 5 mg group and 11 (26.2%) in the Eliquis 2.5 mg group.

The following factors were clinically significant and independent predictors of all-cause hospitalization during the trial:

    --  Eliquis 2.5 mg versus placebo (HR=0.65, 95% CI=0.43-0.96)
    --  Eliquis 5 mg versus placebo (HR=0.54, 95% CI=0.36-0.83)
    --  Severe or moderate renal impairment versus normal renal function
        (HR=2.26, 95% CI=1.30-3.92).

Sex, age, baseline body weight and type of VTE did not significantly predict hospitalization.

A total of 14 Bristol-Myers Squibb/Pfizer alliance-sponsored abstracts, including the AMPLIFY-EXT pre-specified secondary analysis described above, were accepted for presentation at the ESC Congress 2014.

About Eliquis

Eliquis (apixaban) is an oral selective Factor Xa inhibitor. By inhibiting Factor Xa, a key blood clotting protein, Eliquis decreases thrombin generation and blood clot formation. Eliquis is approved to reduce the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation in the United States, European Union, Japan and a number of other countries around the world. Eliquis is approved for prevention of VTE in adult patients who have undergone elective hip or knee replacement surgery in the United States, European Union and a number of other countries around the world. Eliquis is not approved for this indication in Japan. Eliquis is approved for the treatment of DVT and PE, and prevention of recurrent DVT and PE following initial therapy in the United States and European Union.

ELIQUIS Important Safety Information

Indications

ELIQUIS is indicated to reduce the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.

ELIQUIS is indicated for the prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which may lead to pulmonary embolism (PE), in patients who have undergone hip or knee replacement surgery.

ELIQUIS is indicated for the treatment of DVT and PE, and to reduce the risk of recurrent DVT and PE following initial therapy.

Important Safety Information

 

WARNING: (A) PREMATURE DISCONTINUATION OF ELIQUIS INCREASES THE RISK OF
THROMBOTIC EVENTS, (B) SPINAL/EPIDURAL HEMATOMA

 

(A) Premature discontinuation of any oral anticoagulant, including ELIQUIS,
increases the risk of thrombotic events. If anticoagulation with ELIQUIS is
discontinued for a reason other than pathological bleeding or completion of a
course of therapy, consider coverage with another anticoagulant.

 

(B) Epidural or spinal hematomas may occur in patients treated with ELIQUIS who
are receiving neuraxial anesthesia or undergoing spinal puncture. These
hematomas may result in long-term or permanent paralysis. Consider these risks
when scheduling patients for spinal procedures. Factors that can increase the
risk of developing epidural or spinal hematomas in these patients include:

 

    --  use of indwelling epidural catheters
    --  concomitant use of other drugs that affect hemostasis, such as
        nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), platelet inhibitors,
        other anticoagulants
    --  a history of traumatic or repeated epidural or spinal punctures
    --  a history of spinal deformity or spinal surgery
    --  optimal timing between the administration of ELIQUIS and neuraxial
        procedures is not known
Monitor patients frequently for signs and symptoms of neurological impairment.
If neurological compromise is noted, urgent treatment is necessary.

 

Consider the benefits and risks before neuraxial intervention in patients
anticoagulated or to be anticoagulated.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

    --  Active pathological bleeding
    --  Severe hypersensitivity reaction to ELIQUIS (e.g., anaphylactic
        reactions)

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

• Increased Risk of Thrombotic Events after Premature Discontinuation: Premature discontinuation of any oral anticoagulant, including ELIQUIS, in the absence of adequate alternative anticoagulation increases the risk of thrombotic events. An increased rate of stroke was observed during the transition from ELIQUIS to warfarin in clinical trials in atrial fibrillation patients. If ELIQUIS is discontinued for a reason other than pathological bleeding or completion of a course of therapy, consider coverage with another anticoagulant.
• Bleeding Risk: ELIQUIS increases the risk of bleeding and can cause serious, potentially fatal bleeding.

      --  Concomitant use of drugs affecting hemostasis increases the risk of
          bleeding including aspirin and other anti-platelet agents, other
          anticoagulants, heparin, thrombolytic agents, SSRIs, SNRIs, and NSAIDs.
      --  Advise patients of signs and symptoms of blood loss and to report them
          immediately or go to an emergency room. Discontinue ELIQUIS in patients
          with active pathological hemorrhage.
      --  There is no established way to reverse the anticoagulant effect of
          apixaban, which can be expected to persist for at least 24 hours after
          the last dose (i.e., about two half-lives). A specific antidote for
          ELIQUIS is not available.
  
  

• Spinal/Epidural Anesthesia or Puncture: Patients treated with Eliquis undergoing spinal/epidural anesthesia or puncture may develop an epidural or spinal hematoma which can result in long-term or permanent paralysis.

The risk of these events may be increased by the postoperative use of indwelling epidural catheters or the concomitant use of medicinal products affecting hemostasis. Indwelling epidural or intrathecal catheters should not be removed earlier than 24 hours after the last administration of ELIQUIS. The next dose of ELIQUIS should not be administered earlier than 5 hours after the removal of the catheter. The risk may also be increased by traumatic or repeated epidural or spinal puncture. If traumatic puncture occurs, delay the administration of ELIQUIS for 48 hours.

Monitor patients frequently and if neurological compromise is noted, urgent diagnosis and treatment is necessary. Physicians should consider the potential benefit versus the risk of neuraxial intervention in Eliquis patients.

• Prosthetic Heart Valves: The safety and efficacy of ELIQUIS have not been studied in patients with prosthetic heart valves and is not recommended in these patients.
• Acute PE in Hemodynamically Unstable Patients or Patients who Require Thrombolysis or Pulmonary Embolectomy: Initiation of ELIQUIS is not recommended as an alternative to unfractionated heparin for the initial treatment of patients with PE who present with hemodynamic instability or who may receive thrombolysis or pulmonary embolectomy.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

    --  The most common and most serious adverse reactions reported with ELIQUIS
        were related to bleeding.

TEMPORARY INTERRUPTION FOR SURGERY AND OTHER INTERVENTIONS

    --  ELIQUIS should be discontinued at least 48 hours prior to elective
        surgery or invasive procedures with a moderate or high risk of
        unacceptable or clinically significant bleeding. ELIQUIS should be
        discontinued at least 24 hours prior to elective surgery or invasive
        procedures with a low risk of bleeding or where the bleeding would be
        noncritical in location and easily controlled. Bridging anticoagulation
        during the 24 to 48 hours after stopping ELIQUIS and prior to the
        intervention is not generally required. ELIQUIS should be restarted
        after the surgical or other procedures as soon as adequate hemostasis
        has been established.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

    --  Strong Dual Inhibitors of CYP3A4 and P-gp:Inhibitors of CYP3A4 and P-gp
        increase exposure to apixaban and increase the risk of bleeding. For
        patients receiving ELIQUIS doses greater than 2.5 mg twice daily, the
        dose of ELIQUIS should be decreased by 50% when it is coadministered
        with drugs that are strong dual inhibitors of CYP3A4 and P-gp (e.g.,
        ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir, or clarithromycin).For patients
        receiving ELIQUIS at a dose of 2.5 mg twice daily, avoid
        coadministration with strong dual inhibitors of CYP3A4 and P-gp.
    --  Strong Dual Inducers of CYP3A4 and P-gp:Avoid concomitant use of ELIQUIS
        with strong dual inducers of CYP3A4 and P-gp (e.g., rifampin,
        carbamazepine, phenytoin, St. John’s wort) because such drugs will
        decrease exposure to apixaban and increase the risk of stroke and other
        thromboembolic events.
    --  Anticoagulants and Antiplatelet Agents:Coadministration of antiplatelet
        agents, fibrinolytics, heparin, aspirin, and chronic NSAID use increases
        the risk of bleeding. APPRAISE-2, a placebo-controlled clinical trial of
        apixaban in high-risk post-acute coronary syndrome patients treated with
        aspirin or the combination of aspirin and clopidogrel, was terminated
        early due to a higher rate of bleeding with apixaban compared to
        placebo.

PREGNANCY CATEGORY B

    --  There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of ELIQUIS in pregnant
        women. Treatment is likely to increase the risk of hemorrhage during
        pregnancy and delivery. ELIQUIS should be used during pregnancy only if
        the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk to the mother and
        fetus.

Please see full Prescribing Information, including BOXED WARNINGS and Medication Guide, available at www.bms.com.

About DVT and PE

VTE encompasses two serious conditions: DVT, a blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the lower leg, thigh, or pelvis, which partially or totally blocks the flow of blood; and PE, a blood clot that blocks one or more vessels in the lungs. Approximately one million patients in the EU are diagnosed every year with VTE. In the U.S., the number of adults with VTE is projected to more than double from 950,000 in 2006 to 1.82 million in 2050. Once a VTE has occurred, approximately 33% of patients may experience a recurrence within 10 years.

About the Bristol-Myers Squibb/Pfizer Collaboration

In 2007, Pfizer and Bristol-Myers Squibb entered into a worldwide collaboration to develop and commercialize apixaban, an oral anticoagulant discovered by Bristol-Myers Squibb. This global alliance combines Bristol-Myers Squibb's long-standing strengths in cardiovascular drug development and commercialization with Pfizer's global scale and expertise in this field.

About Bristol-Myers Squibb

Bristol-Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information, please visit http://www.bms.com or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/bmsnews.

About Pfizer Inc.: Working together for a healthier world(TM)

At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacture of health care products. Our global portfolio includes medicines and vaccines as well as many of the world's best-known consumer health care products. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as one of the world's premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies, we collaborate with health care providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For more than 150 years, Pfizer has worked to make a difference for all who rely on us. To learn more, please visit us at www.pfizer.com.

    CONTACT: Bristol-Myers Squibb
             Media:
             Danielle Halstrom, 609-252-3403
             danielle.halstrom@bms.com
             or
             Investors:
             Ranya Dajani, 609-252-5330
             ranya.dajani@bms.com
             or
             Ryan Asay, 609-252-5020
             ryan.asay@bms.com
             or
             Pfizer Inc.
             Media:
             Jennifer Kokell, 212-733-2596
             jennifer.kokell@pfizer.com
             or
             Andrew Widger, +44 1737 330 909
             andrew.widger@pfizer.com
             or
             Investors:
             Ryan Crowe, 212-733-8160
             ryan.crowe@pfizer.com

    Source: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company