Pexelizumab comes up roses in CABG garden

Pexelizumab, a novel anti-inflammatory drug, significantly reduces the incidence of myocardial infarction (MI) plus death in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) with cardiopulmonary bypass, researchers from Alexion Pharmaceuticals reported recently. Dr Leonard Bell, President and Chief Executive Officer of Alexion, believes that the preliminary results from this phase II study demonstrate a 'potentially important medical advance for an important underserved patient group'. Indeed, he believes that the results demonstrate a dramatic scientific breakthrough and open a new window in our understanding of the role of inflammation and the immune system in cardiovascular disease.