Eli Lilly & Company announced it has completed its clinical trial for prasugrel, an experimental drug designed to prevent recurring heart attacks and strokes in cardiovascular disease patients. Lilly hopes to present the data in November 2007 and gain approval by the end of the year.

Previous studies have suggested prasugrel, a blood thinner, is more potent than current heart drug Plavix in warding off heart attacks. But one problematic side effect of drugs like prasugrel is bleeding. To gain approval, it must be proven that prasugrel does not cause a risk of serious bleeding.

Prasugrel is an antiplatelet agent, which works by blocking the formation of dangerous blood clots that can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

Source: Peter Loftus, “Eli Lilly bets on heart drug,” Wall Street Journal, August 15, 2007.