GSK study of coronary heart disease treatment fails to meet objectives

GlaxoSmithKline said its phase III study of darapladib failed to meet the primary endpoint in treating patients with acute coronary syndrome.The study with darapladib, SOLID-TIMI 52, evaluating the efficacy of its investigational Lp-PLA2 inhibitor, did not achieve a reduction of major coronary problems.Further analysis of the data is ongoing, the drugmaker added. Acute coronary syndrome is the sudden reduction of blood flow to the heart, which can cause various chest problems including heart attack. "We are disappointed that the outcome of this second phase III study with darapladib does not support a regulatory submission in atherosclerosis," said Patrick Vallance, President of Pharmaceuticals Research and Development. "We will now work to further analyse the data and better understand the findings." RD