UK-based AstraZeneca will begin the examining use of tiCagreLor in paD (EUCLID) study to evaluate the efficacy of ticagrelor compared with clopidogrel in reducing the primary endpoint, a composite of CV death, in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD).
The randomised, double-blind, parallel group, multi-centre study is expected to involve 11,500 subjects and is designed to evaluate cardiovascular (CV) event rate and safety in PAD patients.
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The EUCLID study principal investigator, University of Colorado School of Medicine cardiology division professor of medicine William Hiatt said that the global burden of PAD is such that it necessitates further research of additional treatment options, which may further reduce the risk of atherothrombotic CV events and death.
"The EUCLID study is an exciting clinical trial, as it may provide further clinical evidence regarding the role oral antiplatelets can play in reducing risk for patients with PAD," Hiatt said.
The EUCLID study, a part of the PARTHENON programme, will randomise PAD patients who are 50 years of age or older with either ticagrelor 90mg twice daily or clopidogrel 75mg once a day.
Ticagrelor is at present only approved for the prevention of cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndromes.
The study is being conducted in partnership with the Duke Clinical Research Institute, an academic research organisation affiliated with the Duke University School of Medicine, and CPC Clinical Research, an academic research organisation affiliate of the University of Colorado.
AstraZeneca clinical research executive director Judith Hsia said: "The benefit of ticagrelor on CV thrombotic events, including CV mortality observed in patients who have had an ACS event, supports continued study in other areas of cardiovascular disease."
