Bristol-Myers & Pfizer Release Phase IV Data On Eliquis

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) along with partner Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) announced results from the phase IV -AUGUSTUS study evaluating the blood thinner drug, Eliquis (apixaban) versus vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). The study evaluates the safety of Eliquis as compared to warfarin or other VKA in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and a recent acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or for those undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

In the study, apart from Eliquis or VKA, patients were also randomized to aspirin or placebo and received a P2Y12 inhibitor. AUGUSTUS is the largest study in this high-risk patient population requiring both anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapies.

The study demonstrated that at six months, patients receiving a P2Y12 inhibitor with or without aspirin who were treated with Eliquis had lower rates of death or hospitalization and similar rates of death or ischemic events compared to those assigned to VKA. The results also showed that patients receiving a P2Y12 inhibitor and an anticoagulant who were treated with aspirin had similar rates of death or hospitalization and similar rates of death or ischemic events compared to those assigned to placebo.

Shares of Bristol-Myers have plunged 22.2% in the past year, against the industry’s growth of 13.2%.

We remind investors that Eliquis is already approved for the reduction in the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with NVAF, treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), and reduction in the risk of recurrent DVT and PE following initial therapy, and prophylaxis of DVT, which may lead to PE in patients who have undergone hip or knee replacement surgery.

Zacks Rank and Other Stocks to Consider

Bristol-Myers currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Some other top-ranked stocks from the healthcare sector are Celgene Corp. (NASDAQ:CELG) and BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc. (NASDAQ:BDSI) , While Celgene carries a a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), BioDelivery carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Celgene’s earnings per share estimates have increased from $10.34 to $10.73 for 2019 and from $12.28 to $12.76 for 2020 in the past 60 days. The company delivered a positive earnings surprise in all the trailing four quarters, with average of 2.65%.

BioDelivery Sciences’ loss per share estimates have narrowed from 25 cents to 20 cents for 2019 over the past 60 days. The company delivered a positive earnings surprise in three of the trailing four quarters, with average of 16.53%.

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