Wealth of worldwide evidence on Pradaxa^® including first clinical data on long-term efficacy and safety of a novel oral anticoagulant to be presented at AHA Scientific Sessions

Ingelheim, Germany, 31 October, 2012 – Widely anticipated results from RELY-ABLE, the first long-term follow-up study of a novel oral anticoagulant treatment for stroke prevention in AF, will be among the numerous clinical reports on Pradaxa (dabigatran etexilate) to be presented at the American Heart Association's (AHA) Scientific Sessions in Los Angeles from 3-7 November.¹ The wealth of evidence being presented for Pradaxa at this year's AHA sheds light on the clinical, long-term and real-world benefits of the treatment for patients at risk for thromboembolic events worldwide.

The RELY-ABLE results presented are the first randomized follow-up data indicating how a novel oral anticoagulant is performing over more than four years of treatment duration.¹ These important results will provide knowledge on the consistency of benefits offered by the treatment and support physicians in their search for optimal stroke protection. RELY-ABLE is the long-term extension study of the RE-LY trial, one of the largest phase III trials to investigate the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.^1-3

RELY-ABLE oral presentation information:

The RELY-ABLE study conclusions will be discussed during an exclusive online data webcast available on demand for medical media from 9 a.m. CET on Thursday 8 November – www.newshome.com.

Additional studies on Pradaxa being presented at the AHA Scientific Sessions
In addition to RELY-ABLE, several reports including novel RE-LY subanalyses, clinical real world experience and preclinical studies on Pradaxa will be presented at the AHA Scientific Sessions. Of particular note will be results from real-world practice examining the safety and efficacy of Pradaxa for the prevention of venous thromboembolism after total knee or hip replacement,⁴ as well as updates from the Boehringer Ingelheim Research & Development Programme regarding an antibody fragment antidote for rapid reversal of the anticoagulant effect of Pradaxa.⁵

Further Pradaxa abstracts being presented at AHA:

ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

RE-LY trial sub-analyses:

• Comparison of Dabigatran versus Warfarin in Diabetic Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: Results from the RE-LY Trial
  Lead Author: H. Darius, Poster No. 15937, Sunday 4 November, 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• Dabigatran Versus Warfarin in Very Elderly Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: Results from the RE-LY Trial
  Lead Author: M. Coppens, Oral Presentation 15537, Monday 5 November, 9:30 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
• Balancing the Benefits and Risks of Two Doses of Dabigatran Compared with Warfarin in Atrial Fibrillation
  Lead Author: J. Eikelboom, Presentation 14433, 11:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
• Importance of Persistent Elevation of Cardiac Biomarkers in Atrial Fibrillation - A RE-LY Substudy
  Lead Author: Z. Hijazi, Oral Presentation 14808, Tuesday 6 November, 4:45 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Other key AF abstracts:

• Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial to Test The Effect of a Multifaceted Comprehensive Cardiovascular Care Intervention on Clinical Outcomes in Atrial Fibrillation Patients Receiving Dabigatran
  Lead Author: R. Nieuwlaat, Oral Presentation 12618, Monday 5 November, 9:00 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.
• Regional Variation in Ischemic Stroke Rates and Oral Anticoagulant Use Among the Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation Medicare Population
  Lead Author: K. Fitch, Poster No. 12992, Tuesday 6 November, 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., presented by K. Siu
• Association between Outpatient Visits Following Hospital Discharge and Readmissions among Medicare Beneficiaries with Atrial Fibrillation
  Lead Author: M. Hubbard, Poster No. 11367, Tuesday 6 November, 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., presented by K. Siu
• Incidence of Bleeding Events in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation
  Lead Author: T. Murray-Thomas, Poster No. 14178, Tuesday 6 November, 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., presented by A. Clemens
• Cost-Effectiveness of Dabigatran Etexilate versus Rivaroxaban for Stroke and Systemic Embolism Risk Reduction in Atrial Fibrillation: A US Third Party Payer Perspective
  Lead Author: D. Walker, Poster No. 14964, Wednesday 7 November, 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Primary prevention of VENOUS THROMBOEMBOLISM in patients after total knee or hip replacement surgery:

• Safety and Efficacy of Once Daily 220 mg Dabigatran Etexilate in a Real-World Non-Interventional Study of More Than 5000 Patients After Total Knee or Hip Replacement
  Lead Author: N. Rosencher, Poster No. 10001, 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

PRE-CLINICAL STUDIES:

• The Influence on Plaque Formation and Endothelial Function in ApoE-Deficient Mice by Direct Thrombin Inhibition with Dabigatran
  Lead Author: M.T. Kratz, Poster No. 14060, Sunday 4 November, 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
• Reversal of Anticoagulant Activity of Dabigatran and Dabigatran-induced Bleeding in Rats by a Specific Antidote (Antibody Fragment)
  Lead Author: J. van Ryn, Oral Presentation 9928, Monday 5 November, 9:15 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. 
• Successful Reversal of Dabigatran-Induced Bleeding by 3-Factor Coagulation Concentrates in a Rat Tail Bleeding Model: Lack of Correlation with ex vivo Markers of Anticoagulation
  Lead Author: J. van Ryn, Oral Presentation 11955, Monday 5 November, 11:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.

Abstracts will be available on the AHA Scientific Sessions Website on Saturday, November 3, 2012

NOTES TO THE EDITORS

About dabigatran etexilate
Dabigatran etexilate is at the forefront of a new generation of oral anticoagulants/direct thrombin inhibitors (DTIs)⁶ targeting a high unmet medical need in the prevention and treatment of acute and chronic thromboembolic diseases.

Potent antithrombotic effects are achieved with direct thrombin inhibitors by specifically blocking the activity of thrombin (both free and clot-bound), the central enzyme in the process responsible for clot (thrombus) formation. In contrast to vitamin-K antagonists, which variably act via different coagulation factors, dabigatran etexilate provides effective, predictable and consistent anticoagulation with a low potential for drug-drug interactions and no drug-food interactions, without the need for routine coagulation monitoring or dose adjustment.

Boehringer Ingelheim
The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world's 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, it operates globally with 145 affiliates and more than 44,000 employees. Since it was founded in 1885, the family-owned company has been committed to researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing novel medications of high therapeutic value for human and veterinary medicine.

As a central element of its culture, Boehringer Ingelheim pledges to act socially responsible. Involvement in social projects, caring for employees and their families, and providing equal opportunities for all employees form the foundation of the global operations. Mutual cooperation and respect, as well as environmental protection and sustainability are intrinsic factors in all of Boehringer Ingelheim’s endeavors.

In 2011, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of about 13.2 billion euro. R&D expenditure in the business area Prescription Medicines corresponds to 23.5% of its net sales.

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