Clot Wars contd. – Bleeding negates benefit of J&J’s Xarelto in study | Reuters

ohnson & Johnson’s blood clot preventer failed to benefit patients admitted to hospitals with acute illnesses, due to a surprisingly high rate of bleeding, according to results of a new late-stage trial.

The trial failure for the closely followed drug, rivaroxaban, represents a significant setback for Johnson & Johnson (JNJ.N) and its partner Bayer AG (BAYGn.DE).

Industry analysts had predicted the trial, if successful, would create a potential $2.8 billion-a-year market opportunity for the medicine among the vast patient population represented in the study.