Methods of Treating, Reducing the Incidence of, and/or Preventing Ischemic Events

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/792,056, filed on Mar. 9, 2013, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/943,717, filed on Nov. 10, 2010, which claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/260,361, filed on Nov. 11, 2009. This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/943,717, filed on Nov. 10, 2010, which claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/260,361, filed on Nov. 11, 2009. Each of the foregoing applications is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to methods of treating, reducing the incidence of, and/or preventing an ischemic event in a patient undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), comprising administering to the patient a pharmaceutical composition comprising cangrelor. The methods may further comprise administering an additional therapeutic agent to the patient, the additional therapeutic agent comprising bivalirudin or a P2Y₁₂ inhibitor. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions useful for treating, reducing the incidence of, and/or preventing an ischemic event in a patient undergoing PCI. The pharmaceutical compositions comprise cangrelor, and optionally bivalirudin. The present invention further relates to methods of preparing a pharmaceutical composition for treating, reducing the incidence of, and/or preventing an ischemic event in a patient undergoing PCI, comprising admixing cangrelor with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. An ischemic event may include stent thrombosis, myocardial infarction, ischemia-driven revascularization (IDR), and mortality.

[0003] PCI is a procedure that opens narrowed arteries that supply heart muscle with blood. PCI with stent implantation is widely used to reduce the risk of mortality or myocardial infarction in patients with acute coronary syndromes and to reduce the burden of angina and improve the quality of life in patients with stable angina.¹ However, thrombotic complications during PCI are a major concern, particularly if the procedure involves implantation of a stent, which can induce platelet adhesion, activation and thrombus formation on or near the stent.² Thus, antiplatelet therapies are an important adjunct to PCI.^{3 1} Mehta S R, et al., JAMA 2005; 293:2908-17; De Bruyne B, et al., N Engl J Med 2012; 367:991-1001 [Erratum, N Engl J Med 2012; 367:1768.]; Bhatt D L, JAMA 2005; 293:2935-7; Bavry A A, et al., J Am Coll Cardiol 2006; 48:1319-25; and Bhatt D L, et al., JAMA 2004; 292:2096-104.² Windecker S, et al., Circulation 2007; 116:1952-65; Maisel W H, N Engl J Med 2007; 356:981-4.³ Grüntzig A R, et al., N Engl J Med 1979; 301:61-8.

[0004] Inhibition of platelet adenosine diphosphate (ADP) receptor P2Y₁₂ through pharmacotherapy has been demonstrated to improve cardiovascular outcomes in patients undergoing PCI.⁴ Such antiplatelet therapies reduce the risk of ischemic events, particularly stent thrombosis.⁵ Yet, there are several limitations regarding the use of orally administered P2Y₁₂-receptor inhibitors. For instance, there is a delayed onset of action when these drugs are administered, even when given with a loading dose,⁶ which is particularly problematic for patients who require urgent or periprocedural treatment. In addition, patients in the acute phase of cardiovascular illness may have conditions such as nausea, impaired absorption, or impaired perfusion that can limit drug bioavailability; in such patients the antiplatelet effect of oral antiplatelet agents such as clopidogrel may not be sufficient.⁷ Further, multiple studies have now demonstrated that the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects of clopidogrel are highly variable⁸ and may be influenced by genetic polymorphisms,⁹ which translate into differential pharmacodynamic and therapeutic responses that lead to the notion of clopidogrel “non-responders.”¹⁰ Moreover, many physicians refrain from administering clopidogrel prior to angiographic definition of coronary anatomy, as this irreversible platelet inhibitor has been associated with an increased risk of perioperative bleeding if coronary artery bypass surgery is required rather than percutaneous revascularization. More potent oral ADP blockers have been tested and found to reduce ischemic outcomes even further, but with increased rates of bleeding.^{11 4} Yusuf S, et al., N. Eng J Med 2001; 345:494-502; Mehta S R, et al., Lancet 2001; 358:527-33; Sabatine M S, et al., N Engl J Med 2005; 352:1179-89; and Steinhubl S R, et al., JAMA 2002; 288:2411-20 [Erratum, JAMA 2003; 289:987.].⁵ Yousuf O, et al., Nat Rev Cardiol 2011; 8:547-59; Wiviott S D, et al., N Engl J Med 2007; 357:2001-15; Wallentin et al., N Engl J Med 2009; 361:1045-57; and Bhatt D L, N Engl J Med 2007; 357:2078-81.⁶ Meadows T A, et al., Circ Res 2007; 100:1261-75.⁷ Sou{hacek over (c)}lová L, et al., Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2013; 69:309-17 and Heestermans A A, et al., Thromb Res 2008; 122:776-81⁸ Gurbel P A, et al., J Am Coll Cardiol 2005; 45:1392-6 and Collet J P, et al., Lancet 2009; 373:309-17.⁹ Mega J L, et al., N Engl J Med 2009; 360:354-62.¹⁰ Gurbel P A, et al., Nature Clin Pract Cardiovasc Med 2006; 3:387-95.¹¹ Wiviott S D, et al., N Engl J Med 2007; 357:2001-15; Bhatt D L, N Engl J Med 2007; 357:2078-81; Bhatt D L, N Engl J Med 2009; 361:940-2; Wallentin L, et al., N Engl J Med 2009; 361:1045-57; and Schömig A, et al., N Engl J Med 2009; 361:1108-11.

[0005] Thus, despite advances in adjunctive pharmacotherapy, the concern of ischemic events in a patient undergoing PCI has not been eliminated.¹² Accordingly, there is a continuing need for a potent, fast-acting, reversible antiplatelet agent that effectively treats, reduces the incidence of, and/or prevents ischemic events without an excessive risk of bleeding. ¹² Stone G W, et al., N Engl J Med 2009; 360:1946-59 and Bavry A A, et al., Lancet 2008; 371:2134-33.

[0006] The present invention demonstrates how cangrelor may be utilized in treating, reducing the incidence of, and/or preventing an ischemic event. An ischemic event may include stent thrombosis, myocardial infarction, IDR, and mortality. An ischemic event can occur before, during, or after PCI.

[0007] An aspect of the present invention is directed to a method of treating, reducing the incidence of, and/or preventing an ischemic event in a patient undergoing PCI. The method comprises administering to the patient a pharmaceutical composition comprising cangrelor. The pharmaceutical composition may be administered before, during, and/or after PCI, and through various routes of administration. For example, the pharmaceutical composition may be administered intravenously, including as a bolus and/or infusion. In addition, the pharmaceutical composition may be administered to a patient undergoing PCI involving stent implantation. The method of the present invention may treat, reduce the incidence of, and/or prevent an ischemic event during or after PCI. In some instances, the method is not accompanied by a significant increase in severe bleeding or the need for transfusions.

[0008] In certain embodiments of the invention, the method may further comprise administering an additional therapeutic agent to the patient. The additional therapeutic agent may be administered separately from the pharmaceutical composition comprising cangrelor, either sequentially or concurrently. Alternatively, the additional therapeutic agent may be administered in the same pharmaceutical composition as cangrelor. In some embodiments, the additional therapeutic agent comprises a P2Y₁₂ inhibitor, such as clopidogrel, prasugrel, or ticagrelor. In particular embodiments, the additional therapeutic agent comprises bivalirudin.

[0009] Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a pharmaceutical composition useful for treating, reducing the incidence of, and/or preventing an ischemic event in a patient undergoing PCI. The pharmaceutical composition comprises cangrelor and may further comprise one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. In addition, the pharmaceutical composition may further comprise one or more additional therapeutic agents, for example, bivalirudin. The pharmaceutical composition may be a solid, liquid, or suspension. The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may be useful for treating, reducing the incidence of, and/or preventing an ischemic event that occurs during or after PCI. In some instances, the pharmaceutical composition does not lead to a significant increase in severe bleeding or the need for transfusions when administered to a patient undergoing PCI.

[0010] A further aspect of the present invention is directed to a method of preparing a pharmaceutical composition for treating, reducing the incidence of, and/or preventing an ischemic event in a patient undergoing PCI, comprising admixing cangrelor with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. The pharmaceutically acceptable excipient may comprise NaCl, dextrose, mannitol, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the method may further comprise admixing one or more additional therapeutic agents, for example, bivalirudin, with cangrelor.

[0011] An additional aspect of the present invention is directed to a kit comprising a pharmaceutical composition of cangrelor and a pharmaceutical composition of an additional therapeutic agent, for example, bivalirudin.

[0024] The present invention is based on the discovery that cangrelor, a reversible, fast acting, adenosine triphosphate analogue inhibitor of the P2Y₁₂ ADP receptor, is effective in treating, reducing the incidence of, and/or preventing an ischemic event. Thus, the present invention is directed to a method of treating, reducing the incidence of, and/or preventing an ischemic event in a patient undergoing PCI, comprising administering to the patient a pharmaceutical composition comprising cangrelor. In some instances, the method may further comprise administering to the patient an additional therapeutic agent, such as bivalirudin. The present invention is also directed to a pharmaceutical composition useful for treating, reducing the incidence of, and/or preventing an ischemic event in a patient undergoing PCI, wherein the pharmaceutical composition comprises cangrelor and may further comprise one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. In some cases, the pharmaceutical composition may further comprise an additional therapeutic agent, such as bivalirudin. Further, the present invention is directed to a method of preparing a pharmaceutical composition for treating, reducing the incidence of, and/or preventing an ischemic event in a patient undergoing PCI, comprising admixing cangrelor with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. In some instances, the method may further comprise admixing an additional therapeutic agent, such as bivalirudin, with cangrelor.

[0025] Cangrelor is a non-thienopyridine adenosine triphosphate analogue which reversibly binds to and inhibits the P2Y₁₂ ADP receptor. Cangrelor is direct-acting, reversible, and selective, and it has a short half-life. It is metabolized through dephosphorylation pathways and has a plasma half-life of 3-5 minutes; platelet function returns to normal within 30-60 minutes of drug termination.¹³ When given as a bolus plus infusion, it quickly and consistently inhibits platelets to a high degree with normalization of platelet function shortly after discontinuation. A phase 2 trial in patients undergoing PCI demonstrated dose-dependent platelet inhibition similar to that achieved with abciximab, less bleeding time prolongation, and more rapid return to platelet function.¹⁴ The chemical structure of cangrelor is shown in Formula I. ¹³ Storey R F, et al., Br J Haematol 2000; 110:925-34.¹⁴ Greenbaum A B, et al., Am Heart J 2006; 151:689.e1-10.

[0026] In each of the embodiments of the present invention, the term “cangrelor” encompasses the compound of Formula I, as well as tautomeric, enantiomeric and diastereomeric forms thereof, and racemic mixtures thereof, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of these compounds, including a tetrasodium salt. These alternative forms and salts, processes for their production, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them, are well known in the art and set forth, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,721,219. Additional disclosure relevant to the production and use of cangrelor may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,955,447, 6,130,208 and 6,114,313, as well as in U.S. Appln. Publication No. 2006/0270607.

[0027] The present invention demonstrates how cangrelor may be utilized in treating, reducing the incidence of, and/or preventing an ischemic event. An ischemic event may include stent thrombosis, myocardial infarction, IDR, and mortality. An ischemic event can occur before, during, or after PCI.

[0028] Stent Thrombosis

[0029] In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to treating, reducing the incidence of, and/or preventing stent thrombosis in a patient undergoing PCI. Stent thrombosis may result from any means related to the implantation, presence, or maintenance of the stent in the vasculature of the patient. For example, stent thrombosis may be induced by implantation of a stent into the patient or may develop over time due to the presence of a stent, such as a bare-metal stent, a drug-eluting stent, or other type of stent. In some embodiments, stent thrombosis is defined in accordance with or derived from the Academic Research Consortium definition of stent thrombosis.¹⁵ In certain embodiments of the present invention, stent thrombosis may be intraprocedural stent thrombosis, acute stent thrombosis (<24 hours post implantation), sub-acute stent thrombosis (>24 hours and <30 days post implantation), late stent thrombosis (>30 days and <12 months post implantation) or very late stent thrombosis (>12 months post implantation). ¹⁵ Cutlip D E, et al., Circulation 2007; 115(17):2344-51.

[0030] Myocardial Infarction

[0031] In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to treating, reducing the incidence of, and/or preventing myocardial infarction in a patient undergoing PCI. Myocardial infarction may be any form of myocardial infarction, including acute myocardial infarction (first few hours to 7 days), healing myocardial infarction (7 to 28 days), healed myocardial infarction (29 days and beyond), acute non-ST-elevated myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), and acute ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI). In some embodiments, myocardial infarction is defined in accordance with or derived from the universal definition of myocardial infarction.^{16 16} Thygesen K, et al., Eur Heart J 2007; 28:2525-38.

[0032] Myocardial infarction may arise during PCI, or may be induced by any mechanism, including implantation of a stent into the patient. Myocardial infarction may also be caused by stent thrombosis or occlusion of a coronary artery.

[0033] Ischemia-Driven Revascularization (IDR)

[0034] In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to treating, reducing the incidence of, and/or preventing IDR in a patient undergoing PCI. IDR refers to any type of intervention following PCI in which blood flow through a vessel must be increased or re-established. Examples of IDR include, but are not limited to, an additional PCI or surgery.

[0035] Mortality

[0036] In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to reducing the incidence of and/or preventing mortality in a patient undergoing PCI. In some embodiments, mortality may be associated with other ischemic events. For instance, mortality may be caused by stent thrombosis, occlusion of a coronary artery, and/or myocardial infarction.

Methods of Treating, Reducing the Incidence of, and/or Preventing an Ischemic Event

[0037] An aspect of the present invention is methods of treating, reducing the incidence of, and/or preventing an ischemic event in a patient undergoing PCI, comprising administering to the patient a pharmaceutical composition comprising cangrelor.

[0038] PCI may comprise balloon angioplasty without implantation of a stent, or may also comprise the implantation of a stent. The stent may be a bare-metal stent, or a drug-eluting stent, as known in the art.

[0039] Timing, Duration, and Routes of Administration of the Pharmaceutical Composition

[0040] A method of the present invention comprises administering the pharmaceutical composition before, during, and/or after PCI. The administration may continue for a short period of time, such as less than about an hour, or may be one or more hours. In some embodiments, the administration may continue for at least the duration of the PCI. In other embodiments, the administration may continue after the PCI has concluded. In certain embodiments, the administration may continue for at least about 2 hours or the duration of the PCI procedure, whichever is longer. In an additional embodiment, the administration may continue for about 4 hours or longer.

[0041] A method may comprise administering the pharmaceutical composition multiple times before, during, and/or after PCI. For example, administration of the pharmaceutical composition may be for a short period of time before the PCI, and then again once PCI has begun.

[0042] In certain embodiments, the method may comprise administering the pharmaceutical composition periodically after the PCI has concluded. For instance, the pharmaceutical composition may be administered once, twice, thrice or more times a day, once every two days, once every three days, etc., and for weeks, months, or even years, after the PCI, particularly if the PCI involved stent implantation.

[0043] In additional embodiments, the method may comprise administering the pharmaceutical composition once the ischemic event is recognized or diagnosed, or at the onset of symptoms of the ischemic event. For example, the pharmaceutical composition may be administered if symptoms of a myocardial infarction are observed. The pharmaceutical composition may be administered within a short period of time from the onset of symptoms of the ischemic event. The short period of time may range from about one or two minutes to about one or two hours.

[0044] In some embodiments, the method may comprise administering the pharmaceutical composition as a prophylaxis against an ischemic event, such as myocardial infarction. Patients appropriate for such prevention include any patient suspected of having early symptoms of the ischemic event or other disease, or a condition that could lead to the ischemic event against which the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention would be effective. The pharmaceutical composition may be administered to the patient within a short period of time of when early or initial symptoms of the ischemic event are detected.

[0045] Methods of the present invention may comprise administering the pharmaceutical composition concurrently or sequentially with at least one additional therapeutic agent. The additional therapeutic agent may be a P2Y₁₂ receptor inhibitor, such as clopidogrel, ticagrelor, or prasugrel, or the additional therapeutic agent may be a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor. Alternatively, the additional therapeutic agent may be aspirin. In some embodiments, the additional therapeutic agent may be administered after the administration of cangrelor, either immediately after or following a short period of time. For example, when cangrelor is administered as a bolus followed by infusion, the additional therapeutic agent, such as clopidogrel, may be administered after the infusion of cangrelor is complete. In certain embodiments, the additional therapeutic agent may be administered concurrently with cangrelor in the same pharmaceutical composition, or in separate pharmaceutical compositions.

[0046] In certain embodiments, the at least one additional therapeutic agent may comprise bivalirudin. Bivalirudin is a potent, reversible inhibitor of the serine protease thrombin. Thrombin is critical in the thrombotic process, cleaving fibrinogen into fibrin monomers and converting Factor XIII to Factor XIIIa, thereby allowing fibrin to develop into a covalently cross-linked framework which leads to clot formation. The chemical structure of bivalirudin is shown in Formula II.

[0047] In each of the embodiments of the present invention, the term “bivalirudin” encompasses the compound of Formula II as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Salts of bivalirudin, processes for the production of bivalirudin, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising bivalirudin, are well known in the art and set forth, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,196,404, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

[0048] The routes of administration of the methods of the present invention include, for example, oral, sublingual, intranasal, intraocular, rectal, transdermal, mucosal, topical or parenteral administration. Parenteral modes of administration include without limitation, intradermal, subcutaneous (s.c., s.q., sub-Q, Hypo), intramuscular (i.m.), intravenous (i.v.), intraperitoneal (i.p.), intra-arterial, intramedulary, intracardiac, intra-articular (joint), intrasynovial (joint fluid area), intracranial, intraspinal, and intrathecal (spinal fluids). Any known device useful for parenteral injection or infusion of drug formulations can be used in the methods of the present invention. In noted aspects and embodiments of the present invention, administration is via parenteral administration, preferably intravenous administration, or oral administration.

[0049] When administered intravenously, the pharmaceutical composition comprising cangrelor may be administered as a bolus, as a continuous infusion, or as a bolus followed by a continuous infusion. For example, the pharmaceutical composition may be administered prior to PCI as a bolus, and may be administered during PCI as a continuous infusion. In certain embodiments wherein an additional therapeutic agent is administered, the additional therapeutic agent may be administered as a bolus, as a continuous infusion, or as a bolus followed by a continuous infusion.

[0050] Doses of cangrelor in the pharmaceutical compositions administered in the methods of the present invention may vary depending upon the stated goals of the methods (treating, reducing the incidence of, and/or preventing), the physical characteristics of the patient, the significance of the ischemic event, existence of related or unrelated medical conditions, the composition of the formulation and the means used to administer the drug to the patient. The dose for a given patient will generally be set by the judgment of the attending physician.

[0051] When administered as a bolus, a dose of about 5 to about 100 μg/kg cangrelor, such as between about 20 and about 40 μg/kg cangrelor, or about 30 μg/kg cangrelor, is administered. When administered as a continuous infusion, cangrelor may be administered at about 0.1 to about 30 μg/kg/min, for example, between about 1 and about 10 μg/kg/min, or about 4 μg/kg/min. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the dose may differ in the periods before PCI, during PCI and after PCI.

[0052] In certain embodiments, the method of the present invention comprises administering a bolus of about 30 μg/kg cangrelor, followed by administering an infusion of about 4 μg/kg/min cangrelor.

[0053] When the pharmaceutical composition is administered orally, a dose of between about 0.5 to about 100 mg/kg cangrelor or about 5 to about 30 mg/kg cangrelor is administered per day. Oral administration may occur once a day or multiple times per day.

[0054] In certain embodiments of the present invention, an additional therapeutic agent is administered in addition to the pharmaceutical composition comprising cangrelor. When the additional therapeutic agent comprises clopidogrel, it may be administered orally with a dose of clopidogrel from about 75 mg to about 600 mg.

[0055] When the additional therapeutic agent comprises bivalirudin, it may be administered intravenously as a bolus and/or a continuous infusion. When administered as a bolus, a dose of about 0.05 to about 50 mg/kg bivalirudin, such as between about 0.1 and about 10 mg/kg bivalirudin, or about 0.75 mg/kg bivalirudin, may be administered. When administered as a continuous infusion, bivalirudin may be administered at about 0.1 to about 30 mg/kg/hr, for example, between about 0.5 and about 10 mg/kg/hr, or about 1.75 mg/kg/hr. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the dose may differ in the periods before PCI, during PCI and after PCI.

[0056] Patients

[0057] As used herein, a “patient” upon which the methods of the present invention may be practiced refers to an animal, such as a mammalian or an avian species, including a human, a non-human primate, a horse, a cow, a sheep, a goat, a dog, and a cat. Such patients may have an ischemic event, such as stent thrombosis, myocardial infarction, IDR, or mortality.

[0058] In view of the fact that the patients upon which some of the methods of the present invention are being practiced have underlying health conditions that require PCI, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the patients may have various additional physical characteristics related to such underlying health conditions. For example, in each of the embodiments of the present invention, the patient may have a condition selected from the group consisting of STEMI, NSTEMI, stable angina, unstable angina, and acute coronary syndrome. The patient may be of any age, gender, or weight. The patient may have received different therapeutic agents, such as a periprocedural glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor, periprocedural unfractionated heparin (UFH), periprocedural low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), periprocedural bivalirudin, or periprocedural clopidogrel.

[0059] To further characterize the patients to which the methods of the present invention may be applied, it is noted that the patient may have suffered a stroke, or may have diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, a myocardial infarction, or may have a family history of coronary artery disease (CAD). The patient may have undergone percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), PCI, or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). The patient may have congestive heart failure, peripheral arterial disease (PAD), or stent thrombosis in more than one artery or vein. Further, the patient may be on periprocedural medications such as clopidogrel, bivalirudin, unfractionated heparin, low-molecular-weight heparin, fondaparinux, or aspirin.

[0060] Results of the Methods

[0061] Each of the methods recited in the present invention may include the additional step of measuring the effectiveness of the administration of the pharmaceutical composition comprising cangrelor, including the timing, duration, and route of administration of the pharmaceutical composition. The measurement may include the effectiveness of the administration of any additional therapeutic agent. In one example, this additional step may be performed about 0.5 to about 24 hours after administration is complete. Characteristics that are representative of effectiveness include, for example, an increase in luminal diameter within a stent, a decrease in the size of the stent thrombus, and a decreased incidence of myocardial infarction.

Pharmaceutical Compositions Useful for Treating, Reducing the Incidence of, and/or Preventing Ischemic Events

[0062] An aspect of the present invention is directed to a pharmaceutical composition useful for treating, reducing the incidence of, and/or preventing an ischemic event in a patient undergoing PCI. The pharmaceutical composition comprises cangrelor, and may further comprise one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. In addition, the pharmaceutical composition may further comprise an additional therapeutic agent such as bivalirudin. The pharmaceutical composition may be administered according to any of the methods of the present invention described above.

[0063] Pharmaceutically Acceptable Excipients

[0064] These pharmaceutical compositions may comprise one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients including, but not limited to, carriers, diluents, stabilizing agents, solubilizing agents, surfactants, buffers, antioxidants, preservatives, tonicity agents, bulking agents, lubricating agents, emulsifiers, suspending or viscosity agents, fillers, disintegrating agents, binding agents, wetting agents, lubricating agents, antibacterials, chelating agents, sweeteners, perfuming agents, flavouring agents, coloring agents, administration aids, and combinations thereof. Particular excipients include, but are not limited to, cornstarch or gelatin, lactose, sucrose, dextrose, microcrystalline cellulose, kaolin, mannitol, sorbitol, dicalcium phosphate, sodium chloride, alginic acid, croscarmellose sodium, sodium starch glycolate, glycerol, ethanol, propylene glycol, polysorbate 80 (Tween-80™), poly(ethylene)glycol 300 and 400 (PEG 300 and 400), PEGylated castor oil (e.g. Cremophor EL), poloxamer 407 and 188, cyclodextrin or cyclodextrin derivatives (including HPCD ((2-hydroxypropyl)-cyclodextrin) and (2-hydroxyethyl)-cyclodextrin), hydrophilic and hydrophobic carriers, and combinations thereof. Hydrophobic carriers include, for example, fat emulsions, lipids, PEGylated phospholipids, polymer matrices, biocompatible polymers, lipospheres, vesicles, particles, and liposomes. In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions may comprise polyols, such as sorbitol, lactose, sucrose, inositol or trehalose.

[0065] The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be formulated for the route by which they are administered to the patients, which include solids, liquids, and suspensions. For example, if the pharmaceutical composition is formulated for IV administration, the pharmaceutical composition may comprise an intravenous fluid, which includes, but is not limited to, water-for-injection (WFI), physiological saline, 0.9% NaCl, phosphate buffered saline, 5% dextrose in water, and 0.002% polysorbate 80 in water or Ringer's™ solution. If the pharmaceutical composition is formulated for intramuscular administration, the pharmaceutical composition may comprise an intravenous fluid, which includes, but is not limited to, WFI, physiological saline, 0.9% NaCl, phosphate buffered saline, and 5% dextrose in water.

[0066] If the pharmaceutical composition is formulated for oral administration, the pharmaceutical composition may comprise excipients that include, but are not limited to diluents (e.g., sodium and calcium carbonate, sodium and calcium phosphate, and lactose), binding agents (e.g., acacia gum, starch, gelatin, sucrose, polyvinylpyrrolidone (Povidone), sorbitol, tragacanth, methylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, and ethylcellulose), fillers (e.g., calcium phosphate, glycine, lactose, maize-starch, sorbitol, or sucrose), wetting agents, lubricating agents (e.g., metallic stearates, stearic acid, polyethylene glycol, waxes, oils, silica and colloidal silica, silicon fluid or talc), disintegrating agents (e.g., potato starch, corn starch and alginic acid), flavouring agents (e.g. peppermint, oil of wintergreen, fruit flavoring, bubblegum, and the like), and coloring agents. Excipients may also include coatings such as glyceryl monostearate or glyceryl distearate, to delay absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. For oral use, the pharmaceutical composition may be made in the form of a tablet, capsule, suspension or liquid syrup or elixir, wafers and the like.

[0067] Preparing Pharmaceutical Compositions

[0068] The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be prepared by admixing cangrelor with the one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. Methods of admixing and devices useful for admixing are known in the art.

[0069] In certain embodiments, cangrelor and the one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients are dissolved and then admixed. The resulting mixture may be dried, such as through lyophilization, to form a solid pharmaceutical composition, or the resulting mixture may remain in solution form as a liquid pharmaceutical composition. In some embodiments, the solid pharmaceutical composition may be solubilized in an intravenous fluid before administration, for example, as a bolus or infusion.

[0070] In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition is prepared by dissolving and admixing cangrelor, mannitol, sorbitol, and optionally sodium hydroxide, and then lyophilizing the mixture. Prior to administration, the lyophilized mixture is dissolved in an intravenous fluid such as WFI or physiological saline.

[0071] In some embodiments, the method may further comprise admixing one or more additional therapeutic agents, for example, bivalirudin, with cangrelor and optionally a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

[0072] Alternatively, bivalirudin may be prepared in a separate pharmaceutical composition from the pharmaceutical composition comprising cangrelor. The pharmaceutical composition comprising bivalirudin may be prepared by methods set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,582,727 and 7,598,343, which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.

[0073] The present invention will now be further described by way of the following non-limiting examples, which further illustrate the present invention; such examples are not intended, nor should they be interpreted, to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0074] In this example, the efficacy of cangrelor versus placebo was examined when administered to patients during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

[0075] Patients were enrolled at 218 sites in 18 countries from October 2006 to May 2009.

[0076] Patients were randomized in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, double-dummy design to receive either (i) placebo bolus and infusion or (ii) cangrelor 30 μg/kg bolus and 4 μg/kg/min infusion for the duration of PCI, with a minimum infusion duration of 2 hours and a maximum of 4 hours. Patients in the placebo arm of the trial received 600 mg of clopidogrel at the end of the procedure, while patients in the cangrelor arm received 600 mg of clopidogrel after the end of the cangrelor infusion (FIG. 1).

[0077] The inclusion criteria for the trial were as follows: age≧18 years; diagnostic coronary angiography revealing atherosclerotic lesion(s) amenable to PCI with or without stent implantation; and evidence of either non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction or unstable angina. Stable angina was initially allowed at the beginning of the trial prior to a protocol amendment. The diagnosis of non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction required troponin I or T greater than the upper limit of normal within 24 hours of randomization (or if troponin results were unavailable at that time, creatine kinase-myocardial band isoenzyme [CK-MB] greater than the upper limit of normal). The diagnosis of unstable angina required ischemic chest discomfort occurring at rest and lasting ≧10 minutes within the 24 hours prior to randomization and dynamic electrocardiographic changes; age≧65 years and/or diabetes mellitus were also required.

[0078] The exclusion criteria included the following: prior thienopyridine use in the past 7 days, planned staged PCI procedure where the second stage would occur ≦30 days after the first PCI, admission planned for <12 hours following PCI, ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction within 48 hours of randomization, known or suspected pregnancy, lactating females, increased bleeding risk (ischemic stroke within the last year or any previous hemorrhagic stroke), intracranial tumor, cerebral arteriovenous malformation, intracranial aneurysm, recent (<1 month) trauma or major surgery (including coronary artery bypass grafting), current warfarin use, active bleeding, known International Normalized Ratio >1.5, past or present bleeding disorder, platelet count <100,000/μL, severe hypertension (systolic blood pressure >180 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure >110 mm Hg), fibrinolytic therapy or glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor use in the 12 hours preceding randomization.

[0079] The primary efficacy endpoint was the composite of mortality, myocardial infarction, or ischemia-driven revascularization at 48 hours. The primary analysis was performed on a modified intent-to-treat population. Confirmatory analyses were performed on an intent-to-treat population. Secondary endpoints included the individual rates of mortality, myocardial infarction, new Q-wave myocardial infarction, ischemia-driven revascularization, abrupt vessel closure, or stroke at 48 hours. Mortality at 30 days and 1 year was also recorded. The clinical events committee adjudicated myocardial infarction, Q-wave myocardial infarction, ischemia-driven revascularization, stent thromboses, and stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic). The definition of stent thrombosis was similar to the Academic Research Consortium definition of definite stent thrombosis. After review of the prespecified analyses, two exploratory endpoints less reliant on periprocedural biomarker ascertainment were examined. The exploratory endpoints, which were composed of prespecified and adjudicated endpoints, were the composite of mortality, Q-wave myocardial infarction, or ischemia-driven revascularization and the composite of mortality, Q-wave myocardial infarction, or stent thrombosis. Bleeding and adverse events through 48 hours were compared.

[0080] Statistical Analyses—

[0081] All efficacy analyses were performed on the modified intent-to-treat population, defined as all randomized patients who received at least one dose of study drug and underwent the index PCI. All safety-related analyses were performed on the safety population, which included all patients who received at least one dose of assigned study drug. Patients in the safety analyses were assigned to a treatment arm based on treatment actually received, not as randomized. Intent-to-treat analyses are also presented for full disclosure of results. All statistical tests were two-tailed using a level of significance of 0.05. The primary endpoint comparison between the cangrelor and placebo arms was performed by calculating an odds ratio (OR) with accompanying 95% confidence intervals (CI) using logistic regression. Logistic regression was also used to analyze the majority of the remaining secondary endpoints. The trial had 85% power to detect a 25% reduction in the primary endpoint, assuming a 7.7% event rate in the placebo arm, with a projected sample size of 6400 patients.

[0082] A total of 5362 patients were included in the intent-to-treat population; of these, 5301 formed the primary modified intent-to-treat analysis population (FIG. 2). There were 61 patients who were not included because they did not receive study drug or undergo PCI. Baseline characteristics were well-matched in the two groups (Table 1).

TABLE 1
Baseline characteristics for ITT, MITT, and Safety populations
	ITT	MITT
	Cangrelor	Clopidogrel	Cangrelor
	(N = 2693)	(N = 2669)	(N = 2656)
Age, yrs	63.0	(54.0, 71.0)	63.0	(54.0, 71.0)	63.0	(54.0, 71.0)
Sex, No. (%)
Male	1938	(72.0)	1877	(70.3)	1909	(71.9)
Female	755	(28.0)	792	(29.7)	747	(28.1)
Race, No. (%)
White	2039	(76.0)	2024	(76.0)	2015	(76.1)
Asian	482	(18.0)	476	(17.9)	475	(17.9)
Black	80	(3.0)	73	(2.7)	75	(2.8)
Hispanic	75	(2.8)	85	(3.2)	74	(2.8)
Other	8	(0.3)	5	(0.2)	8	(0.3)
Weight, kg	80.0	(70.0, 92.0)	80.0	(70.0, 92.0)	80.0	(70.0, 92.0)
Height, cm	170.0	(163.0, 176.0)	170.0	(163.0, 176.0)	170.0	(163.0, 176.0)
Stable angina, No. (%)	145	(5.4)	142	(5.3)	139	(5.2)
Unstable angina, No. (%)	949	(35.2)	918	(34.4)	939	(35.4)
NSTEMI, No. (%)	1599	(59.4)	1609	(60.3)	1578	(59.4)
Medical history, No. (%)
Diabetes mellitus	828	(30.8)	868	(32.6)	812	(30.6)
Current smoker	850	(31.8)	806	(30.4)	842	(31.9)
Hypertension	1994	(74.3)	1979	(74.5)	1972	(74.5)
Hyperlipidemia	1342	(53.5)	1347	(54.0)	1324	(53.6)
Stroke/TIA	162	(6.0)	160	(6.0)	159	(6.0)
Family history of CAD	918	(36.4)	901	(36.0)	902	(36.2)
MI	645	(24.1)	683	(25.7)	640	(24.2)
PTCA/PCI	381	(14.2)	411	(15.5)	374	(14.1)
CABG	203	(7.5)	223	(8.4)	199	(7.5)
Congestive HF	210	(7.8)	192	(7.2)	206	(7.8)
PAD	126	(4.8)	143	(5.5)	122	(4.7)
Periprocedural medications, No (%)
Bivalirudin	565	(21.0)	561	(21.0)	559	(21.0)
UFH	1714	(63.7)	1709	(64.1)	1699	(64.0)
LMWH	487	(18.1)	501	(18.8)	481	(18.1)
GP IIb/IIIa	245	(9.1)	247	(9.3)	241	(9.1)
Study treatment
Number of target vessels, No. (%)
1	2231	(83.7)	2211	(83.3)	2218	(83.6)
2	414	(15.5)	412	(15.5)	414	(15.6)
3	19	(0.7)	29	(1.1)	19	(0.7)
Drug-eluting stent, No. (%)	1037	(38.9)	1023	(38.6)	1033	(38.9)
Non-drug-eluting stent, No. (%)	1514	(56.8)	1515	(57.1)	1509	(56.9)
Angiographic complications (site reported)
Threatened abrupt closure	10	(0.4)	9	(0.3)	10	(0.4)
Unsuccessful procedure	84	(3.1)	97	(3.7)	81	(3.1)
Abrupt vessel closure	13	(0.5)	16	(0.6)	13	(0.5)
New thrombus or suspected thrombus	14	(0.5)	15	(0.6)	14	(0.5)
Acute stent thrombosis	1	(0.0)	5	(0.2)	1	(0.0)
Need for urgent CABG	5	(0.2)	4	(0.2)	5	(0.2)
IV study drug administered, No. (%)	2663	(98.9)	2649	(99.3)	2656	(100.0)
Bolus administered, No. (%)	2663	(98.9)	2649	(99.3)	2656	(100.0)
Infusion administered, No. (%)	2659	(98.7)	2649	(99.3)	2654	(99.9)
Duration of infusion, hrs	2.1	(2.0, 2.3)	2.1	(2.0, 2.3)	2.1	(2.0, 2.3)
Oral study drug administered, No. (%)	2630	(97.7)	2626	(98.4)	2629	(99.0)
	MITT	Safety
	Clopidogrel	Cangrelor	Clopidogrel
	(N = 2645)	(N = 2662)	(N = 2650)
Age, yrs	63.0	(54.0, 71.0)	63.0	(54.0, 71.0)	63.0	(54.0, 71.0)
Sex, No. (%)
Male	1863	(70.4)	1915	(71.9)	1866	(70.4)
Female	782	(29.6)	747	(28.1)	784	(29.6)
Race, No. (%)
White	2006	(76.0)	2017	(76.0)	2009	(76.0)
Asian	473	(17.9)	477	(18.0)	474	(17.9)
Black	72	(2.7)	76	(2.9)	73	(2.8)
Hispanic	84	(3.2)	75	(2.8)	84	(3.2)
Other	5	(0.2)	8	(0.3)	5	(0.2)
Weight, kg	80.0	(70.0, 92.0)	80.0	(70.0, 92.0)	80.0	(70.0, 92.0)
Height, cm	170.0	(163.0, 176.0)	170.0	(163.0, 176.0)	170.0	(163.0, 176.0)
Stable angina, No. (%)	140	(5.3)	138	(5.2)	141	(5.3)
Unstable angina, No. (%)	909	(34.4)	940	(35.3)	911	(34.4)
NSTEMI, No. (%)	1596	(60.3)	1584	(59.5)	1598	(60.3)
Medical history, No. (%)
Diabetes mellitus	862	(32.6)	815	(30.6)	862	(32.6)
Current smoker	799	(30.4)	845	(31.9)	799	(30.3)
Hypertension	1962	(74.5)	1974	(74.4)	1966	(74.5)
Hyperlipidemia	1332	(53.9)	1325	(53.5)	1335	(53.9)
Stroke/TIA	158	(6.0)	160	(6.0)	158	(6.0)
Family history of CAD	890	(35.9)	907	(36.4)	891	(35.9)
MI	679	(25.8)	641	(24.2)	680	(25.7)
PTCA/PCI	409	(15.5)	377	(14.2)	409	(15.5)
CABG	221	(8.4)	200	(7.5)	221	(8.3)
Congestive HF	191	(7.2)	208	(7.8)	191	(7.2)
PAD	142	(5.5)	124	(4.8)	142	(5.5)
Periprocedural medications, No (%)
Bivalirudin	555	(21.0)	561	(21.1)	556	(21.0)
UFH	1695	(64.1)	1701	(63.9)	1699	(64.1)
LMWH	497	(18.8)	484	(18.2)	497	(18.8)
GP IIb/IIIa	244	(9.2)	242	(9.1)	244	(9.2)
Study treatment
Number of target vessels, No. (%)
1	2201	(83.3)	2217	(83.6)	2202	(83.3)
2	412	(15.6)	414	(15.6)	412	(15.6)
3	29	(1.1)	19	(0.7)	29	(1.1)
Drug-eluting stent, No. (%)	1021	(38.6)	1032	(38.9)	1022	(38.7)
Non-drug-eluting stent, No. (%)	1510	(57.1)	1509	(56.9)	1510	(57.1)
Angiographic complications (site reported)
Threatened abrupt closure	9	(0.3)	10	(0.4)	9	(0.3)
Unsuccessful procedure	95	(3.6)	81	(3.1)	95	(3.6)
Abrupt vessel closure	16	(0.6)	13	(0.5)	16	(0.6)
New thrombus or suspected thrombus	15	(0.6)	14	(0.5)	15	(0.6)
Acute stent thrombosis	5	(0.2)	1	(0.0)	5	(0.2)
Need for urgent CABG	3	(0.1)	5	(0.2)	3	(0.1)
IV study drug administered, No. (%)	2645	(100.0)	2662	(100.0)	2650	(100.0)
Bolus administered, No. (%)	2645	(100.0)	2662	(100.0)	2650	(100.0)
Infusion administered, No. (%)	2645	(100.0)	2658	(99.8)	2650	(100.0)
Duration of infusion, hrs	2.1	(2.0, 2.3)	2.1	(2.0, 2.3)	2.1	(2.0, 2.3)
Oral study drug administered, No. (%)	2625	(99.2)	2629	(98.8)	2627	(99.1)
Variables are presented as median (25th, 75th) unless otherwise indicated.
CABG denotes coronary artery bypass grafting;
CAD, coronary artery disease;
GP, glycoprotein;
HF, heart failure;
ITT, intent to treat;
IV, intravenous;
LMWH, low molecular weight heparin;
MI, myocardial infarction;
MITT, modified intent to treat;
NSTEMI, non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction;
PAD, peripheral artery disease;
PCI, percutaneous coronary intervention;
PTCA, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty;
TIA, transient ischemic attack;
UFH, unfractionated heparin.

[0083] The majority of patients were enrolled with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (59.8%). During PCI, unfractionated heparin was the most frequently used antithrombin (63.9%) and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors were used sparingly (9.2%). Drug-eluting stents were used less often than bare metal stents (38.7% vs 56.9%). The time from hospital admission to PCI was short (median of 7.9 hours [3.3, 24.1]). The primary endpoint occurred in 7.0% of patients receiving cangrelor and 8.0% of patients receiving placebo (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.71-1.07; P=0.17) (Table 2, FIG. 3A).

TABLE 2
48-hour endpoints for MITT, ITT, and Safety Populations
	MITT
	Cangrelor	Clopidogrel
	(N = 2656)	(N = 2645)	OR (95% CI)	P Value
Adjudicated endpoints
Mortality/MI/IDR (primary	185 (7.0)	210 (8.0)	0.867 (0.706, 1.065)	0.1746
endpoint)
MI	177 (6.7)	191 (7.2)	0.917 (0.742, 1.133)	0.4207
IDR	19 (0.7)	24 (0.9)	0.786 (0.430, 1.439)	0.4354
All-cause mortality	6 (0.2)	18 (0.7)	0.330 (0.131, 0.833)	0.0190
Stroke	7 (0.3)	5 (0.2)	1.394 (0.442, 4.398)	0.5708
Stent thrombosis	5 (0.2)	16 (0.6)	0.310 (0.113, 0.847)	0.0223
Q-wave MI	4 (0.2)	8 (0.3)	0.497 (0.149, 1.652)	0.2538
Exploratory endpoints
Mortality/Q-wave MI/IDR	23 (0.9)	41 (1.6)	0.554 (0.332, 0.926)	0.0243
Mortality/Q-wave MI/Stent	13 (0.5)	34 (1.3)	0.377 (0.199, 0.717)	0.0029
thrombosis
	ITT
	Cangrelor	Clopidogrel
	(N = 2693)	(N = 2669)	OR (95% CI)	P Value
Adjudicated endpoints
Mortality/MI/IDR	187 (6.9)	213 (8.0)	0.859 (0.701, 1.054)	0.1456
MI	177 (6.6)	192 (7.2)	0.906 (0.734, 1.120)	0.3632
IDR	19 (0.7)	26 (1.0)	0.721 (0.398, 1.307)	0.2814
All-cause mortality	8 (0.3)	19 (0.7)	0.415 (0.181, 0.950)	0.0374
Stroke	7 (0.3)	6 (0.2)	1.155 (0.388, 3.442)	0.7954
Stent thrombosis	5 (0.2)	16 (0.6)	0.308 (0.113, 0.842)	0.0218
Q-wave MI	4 (0.1)	9 (0.3)	0.439 (0.135, 1.428)	0.1713
Exploratory endpoints
Mortality/Q-wave MI/IDR	25 (0.9)	44 (1.7)	0.558 (0.341, 0.915)	0.0207
Mortality/Q-wave MI/Stent	15 (0.6)	36 (1.4)	0.409 (0.224, 0.749)	0.0038
thrombosis
	Safety
	Cangrelor	Clopidogrel
	(N = 2662)	(N = 2650)	OR (95% CI)	P Value
Adjudicated endpoints
Mortality/MI/IDR	185 (7.0)	212 (8.0)	0.858 (0.699, 1.053)	0.1436
MI	176 (6.6)	193 (7.3)	0.901 (0.729, 1.113)	0.3322
IDR	19 (0.7)	25 (0.9)	0.754 (0.414, 1.373)	0.3561
All-cause mortality	7 (0.3)	18 (0.7)	0.385 (0.161, 0.924)	0.0326
Stroke	7 (0.3)	5 (0.2)	1.394 (0.442, 4.396)	0.5712
Stent thrombosis	5 (0.2)	16 (0.6)	0.310 (0.113, 0.846)	0.0223
Q-wave MI	4 (0.2)	9 (0.3)	0.441 (0.136, 1.435)	0.1738
Exploratory endpoints
Mortality/Q-wave MI/IDR	24 (0.9)	42 (1.6)	0.564 (0.341, 0.935)	0.0263
Mortality/Q-wave MI/Stent	14 (0.5)	35 (1.3)	0.395 (0.212, 0.735)	0.0034
thrombosis
Variables are presented as no. (%) unless otherwise indicated. CI denotes confidence interval; IDR, ischemia-driven revascularization; ITT, intent to treat; MI, myocardial infarction; MITT, modified intent to treat; OR, odds ratio.

[0084] There was no significant difference in overall myocardial infarction, Q-wave myocardial infarction, or ischemia-driven revascularization (Table 2). Rates of stent thrombosis were significantly lower with cangrelor (0.2% vs 0.6% [OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.11-0.85; P=0.022]) (FIG. 3B). The rate of mortality at 48 hours was significantly lower in the cangrelor arm (0.2% vs 0.7% [OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.13-0.83; P=0.019]), though by 30 days, this difference was no longer significant (Table 3, FIG. 3C).

TABLE 3
30-day endpoints for ITT, MITT, and Safety Populations
	ITT
	Cangrelor	Clopidogrel
	(N = 2693)	(N = 2669)	OR (95% CI)	P Value
Adjudicated endpoints
Mortality/MI/IDR	230 (8.6)	254 (9.6)	0.885 (0.734, 1.067)	0.1999
MI	190 (7.1)	202 (7.6)	0.924 (0.752, 1.135)	0.4515
IDR	37 (1.4)	49 (1.8)	0.743 (0.483, 1.142)	0.1752
All-cause mortality	36 (1.3)	47 (1.8)	0.754 (0.487, 1.167)	0.2048
Stent thrombosis	15 (0.6)	29 (1.1)	0.508 (0.272, 0.950)	0.0340
Q-wave MI	8 (0.3)	15 (0.6)	0.526 (0.222, 1.242)	0.1425
Exploratory endpoints
Mortality/Q-wave MI/IDR	69 (2.6)	94 (3.5)	0.718 (0.524, 0.984)	0.0396
Mortality/Q-wave MI/Stent	51 (1.9)	77 (2.9)	0.648 (0.453, 0.927)	0.0174
thrombosis
	MITT
	Cangrelor	Clopidogrel
	(N = 2656)	(N = 2645)	OR (95% CI)	P Value
Adjudicated endpoints
Mortality/MI/IDR	226 (8.5)	249 (9.5)	0.892 (0.739, 1.078)	0.2365
MI	189 (7.1)	201 (7.6)	0.929 (0.756, 1.142)	0.4831
IDR	37 (1.4)	46 (1.7)	0.796 (0.515, 1.231)	0.3054
All-cause mortality	33 (1.2)	45 (1.7)	0.725 (0.461, 1.140)	0.1635
Stent thrombosis	15 (0.6)	28 (1.1)	0.529 (0.282, 0.993)	0.0477
Q-wave MI	8 (0.3)	14 (0.5)	0.566 (0.237, 1.352)	0.2003
Exploratory endpoints
Mortality/Q-wave MI/IDR	66 (2.5)	89 (3.4)	0.730 (0.528, 1.008)	0.0560
Mortality/Q-wave MI/Stent	48 (1.8)	73 (2.8)	0.647 (0.447, 0.935)	0.0203
thrombosis
	Safety
	Cangrelor	Clopidogrel
	(N = 2662)	(N = 2650)	OR (95% CI)	P Value
Adjudicated endpoints
Mortality/MI/IDR	226 (8.5)	251 (9.5)	0.884 (0.732, 1.067)	0.1999
MI	188 (7.1)	203 (7.7)	0.913 (0.743, 1.122)	0.3887
IDR	37 (1.4)	47 (1.8)	0.779 (0.504, 1.202)	0.2584
All-cause mortality	34 (1.3)	45 (1.7)	0.747 (0.477, 1.170)	0.2024
Stent thrombosis	15 (0.6)	28 (1.1)	0.529 (0.282, 0.993)	0.0475
Q-wave MI	8 (0.3)	15 (0.6)	0.528 (0.224, 1.248)	0.1455
Exploratory endpoints
Mortality/Q-wave MI/IDR	67 (2.5)	90 (3.4)	0.732 (0.531, 1.010)	0.0572
Mortality/Q-wave MI/Stent	49 (1.8)	74 (2.8)	0.651 (0.452, 0.938)	0.0212
thrombosis
Variables are presented as no. (%) unless otherwise indicated. CI denotes confidence interval; IDR, ischemia-driven revascularization; ITT, intent to treat; MI, myocardial infarction; MITT, modified intent to treat; OR, odds ratio.

[0085] Somewhat counterintuitively, in the subgroup of 1659 patients enrolled without baseline troponin elevation, the primary efficacy endpoint was reduced with cangrelor from 7.2% to 4.6% (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.41, 0.95; P=0.0266). Therefore, exploratory analyses were performed in the overall study population examining the following two clinical endpoints: mortality, Q-wave myocardial infarction, or stent thrombosis; and mortality, Q-wave myocardial infarction, or ischemia-driven revascularization. These endpoints were significantly reduced in favor of cangrelor.

[0086] The rates of Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) major or minor or Global Utilization of Streptokinase and Tissue Plasminogen Activator for Occluded Coronary Arteries (GUSTO) severe or moderate bleeding were not significantly different between the groups, though the rates of Acute Catheterization and Urgent Intervention Triage Strategy (ACUITY) major and minor bleeding and of GUSTO mild bleeding were significantly higher with cangrelor (Table 4).

TABLE 4
48-hour bleeding events for safety population
	Cangrelor	Placebo	Odds Ratio
Bleeding Events	(N = 2662)	(N = 2650)	(95% CI)	P Value
Access site bleeding requiring	8 (0.3)	10 (0.4)	0.796 (0.314, 2.019)	0.6307
radiologic or surgical intervention
Hematoma >5 cm at puncture site	115 (4.3)	71 (2.7)	1.640 (1.214, 2.216)	0.0013
Intracranial hemorrhage	2 (0.1)	1 (0.0)	1.992 (0.180, 21.978)	0.5738
Intraocular	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)
Reoperation for bleeding	1 (0.0)	1 (0.0)	0.995 (0.062, 15.924)	0.9975
Retroperitoneal	2 (0.1)	1 (0.0)	1.992 (0.180, 21.978)	0.5738
Ecchymosis	95 (3.6)	57 (2.2)	1.684 (1.207, 2.349)	0.0022
Epistaxis	6 (0.2)	12 (0.5)	0.497 (0.186, 1.325)	0.1622
Hematoma <5 cm at puncture site	150 (5.6)	119 (4.5)	1.270 (0.992, 1.626)	0.0577
Oozing at puncture site	125 (4.7)	91 (3.4)	1.385 (1.052, 1.825)	0.0204
Thrombocytopenia	2 (0.1)	3 (0.1)	0.663 (0.111, 3.973)	0.6532
Hemodynamic compromise	7 (0.3)	5 (0.2)	1.395 (0.442, 4.400)	0.5704
Any blood transfusion	26 (1.0)	16 (0.6)	1.624 (0.869, 3.034)	0.1285
Any platelet transfusion	4 (0.2)	2 (0.1)	1.992 (0.365, 10.887)	0.4263
Any red blood cell transfusion	25 (0.9)	15 (0.6)	1.665 (0.876, 3.166)	0.1197
Drop in hemoglobin	33 (1.2)	35 (1.3)	0.938 (0.581, 1.514)	0.7927
and/or hematocrit
Bleed scoring criteria
ACUITY criteria
Minor bleeding	320 (12.0)	246 (9.3)	1.335 (1.120, 1.592)	0.0013
Major bleeding	147 (5.5)	93 (3.5)	1.607 (1.232, 2.096)	0.0005
GUSTO criteria
Mild bleeding	427 (16.0)	310 (11.7)	1.442 (1.232, 1.688)	<.0001
Moderate bleeding	20 (0.8)	13 (0.5)	1.536 (0.762, 3.093)	0.2300
Severe/life-threatening bleeding	9 (0.3)	6 (0.2)	1.495 (0.531, 4.205)	0.4462
TIMI criteria
Minor bleeding	22 (0.8)	16 (0.6)	1.372 (0.719, 2.618)	0.3376
Major bleeding	4 (0.2)	9 (0.3)	0.442 (0.136, 1.436)	0.1742
Variables are presented as no. (%) unless otherwise indicated. The bleeding options under each criterion are not mutually exclusive. For example, a patient may have a clinically significant bleed and a minor bleed based on the ACUITY criteria, if more than 1 bleed is present. Each patient was counted only once for each criteria level, regardless of the number of bleeds identified under each criterion. Bleeding listed here included CABG-related bleeding.

[0087] The difference in ACUITY major bleeding was due to an excess of groin hematomas, but not more serious forms of bleeding. The rates of red blood cell transfusion were not significantly different (0.9% with cangrelor vs 0.6% with placebo; P=0.12). Notably, patients at higher risk of bleeding, such as the elderly or those with prior stroke or transient ischemic attack, did not have a higher rate of transfusion with cangrelor (FIG. 4). There was no difference in the rate of arrhythmia (2.3% vs 2.4%; P=0.7664) and the incidence of dyspnea was higher with cangrelor (1.4% [37] vs 0.5% [14]; P=0.0019).

[0088] The results demonstrate that important prespecified endpoints, including stent thrombosis and mortality, were significantly reduced by cangrelor.

[0089] In this example, the efficacy of cangrelor versus clopidogrel was examined when administered to patients before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

[0090] Patients were eligible for enrollment if they had stable angina, unstable angina, or non-ST-segment elevation (NSTE) MI with obstructive coronary artery disease and were scheduled to undergo PCI. An additional 1000 patients with STEMI for whom primary PCI was planned were also eligible. A protocol amendment issued in May 2007 required that patients have definite features of an acute coronary syndrome (either STEMI undergoing planned primary PCI or a NSTE acute coronary syndrome with positive cardiac biomarkers or chest pain with dynamic electrocardiographic changes in patients ≧65 years or with diabetes). Patients could not have received fibrinolysis or glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors within the prior 12 hours or clopidogrel >75 mg/day in the prior 5 days.

[0091] Patients were randomized in a 1:1 double-blind, double-dummy fashion using an IVRS system to either cangrelor or clopidogrel. All patients received a 30 μ/kg intravenous bolus of cangrelor or placebo followed by a 4 μg/kg/min intravenous infusion (FIG. 5). The infusion began within 30 minutes prior to PCI and continued for at least 2 hours or until the conclusion of the index procedure, whichever was longer. At the treating physician's discretion, the infusion could be continued for 4 hours. Patients received 600 mg encapsulated clopidogrel (four 150 mg capsules) or placebo at the time of infusion. To allow the transition from intravenous cangrelor to oral clopidogrel, patients ingested another four capsules (clopidogrel for cangrelor patients, placebo for clopidogrel patients) at the cessation of study drug infusion. The duration of daily clopidogrel following the procedure was left to the discretion of the treating physician, though additional clopidogrel beyond the prescribed study medication was not allowed until the day following the index procedure.

[0092] All patients received aspirin 75-325 mg per local site standards. Adjunctive anticoagulants (unfractionated heparin, low molecular weight heparin, bivalirudin, or fondaparinux) and the procedural use of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors were determined by the treating physician.

[0093] The primary efficacy endpoint was the 48-hour composite of all-cause mortality, MI, or ischemia-driven revascularization. Prespecified secondary efficacy endpoints included the composite of mortality or MI at 48 hours and 30 days; the composite of mortality, MI, or ischemia-driven revascularization at 30 days; the components of the composite endpoints at 48 hours and 30 days; stroke at 48 hours; abrupt closure, threatened abrupt closure, need for urgent coronary artery bypass grafting, or unsuccessful procedure during the index PCI; acute (24 hours) and subacute (48 hours) stent thrombosis; and all-cause mortality at 6 months and 1 year.

[0094] Rates of MI and ischemia-driven revascularization up to 30 days following the index procedure were assessed. Ischemia-driven revascularization was defined as symptoms of myocardial ischemia leading to urgent (within 24 hours of the last episode of ischemia) revascularization, which must have occurred after the index procedure concluded (i.e., guidewire removal). New electrocardiographic changes, acute pulmonary edema, ventricular arrhythmias, or hemodynamic instability could also constitute evidence of ischemia.

[0095] MI was defined by a new Q wave (duration >0.03 seconds) in two contiguous electrocardiographic leads or elevations in creatine kinase (CK) and CK-MB, including a rise of CK-MB ≧3 times the local upper limit or normal and, when biomarkers were elevated prior to PCI, an additional 50% above baseline (Thygesen K. et al, Circulation 116:2634-53 (2007)). One baseline troponin measurement was required for patients undergoing urgent PCI. Measurements of CK-MB were obtained at 2, 10, 17, and 24 hours post-PCI. Stent thrombosis was defined using Academic Research Consortium criteria (Cutlip D. E. et al., Circulation 115:2344-51 (2007)).

[0096] Bleeding was assessed up to 48 hours using clinical and laboratory definitions. Multiple definitions of bleeding were used for full disclosure of bleeding risks associated with cangrelor: (1) The Global Utilization of Streptokinase and Tissue Plasminogen Activator for Occluded Coronary Arteries (GUSTO) criteria (The GUSTO Investigators. N Engl J Med 329:673-82 (1993); mild, moderate, or severe/life-threatening based on transfusion use and presence/absence of hemodynamic compromise); (2) Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) criteria (Chesebro J. H. et al., Circulation 76:142-54 (1987); minor or major bleeding based on clinical and laboratory findings); (3) Acute Catheterization and Urgent Intervention Triage Strategy (ACUITY) criteria (Stone G. W. et al., N Engl J Med 355:2203-16 (2006); using detailed clinical assessment, changes in hemoglobin, hematomas >5 cm, and need for blood transfusion). Investigators reported adverse and serious adverse events according to International Conference on Harmonization guidance (International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) Guidance Documents. U.S. Food and Drug Administration Web site. (Accessed on Oct. 8, 2009, at the FDA website beginning with “www.” and ending with “fda.gov/RegulatoryInformation/Guidances/ucm122049.htm”)).

[0097] An independent clinical events committee reviewed and adjudicated suspected MI, ischemia-driven revascularization, stent thrombosis, and stroke blinded to knowledge of the study medication (Mahaffey K. W. et al., Am Heart J 143:242-8 (2002)).

[0098] Determination of periprocedural MI can be challenging when most patients have elevated biomarkers and a single baseline sample. After the initial analyses were completed and reviewed, additional post-hoc composites were performed to better understand the potential effect of the drug on periprocedural outcomes less reliant on biomarkers (e.g., mortality, stent thrombosis, and Q-wave MI).

[0099] The sample size was based on the estimated composite incidence of all-cause mortality, MI, and ischemia-driven revascularization at 48 hours. Since there was no prior information about the use of cangrelor in the setting of STEMI and primary PCI and given the challenge of measuring re-infarction in the early hours of STEMI, the primary efficacy endpoint excluded these patients from the analysis, though they were included in analyses of safety. The composite event rate was estimated at 7% in the control clopidogrel arm. The trial was designed as a superiority trial to demonstrate a benefit of cangrelor over 600 mg clopidogrel. Assuming a 22% risk reduction, a sample size of 8000 patients would provide approximately 82% power with an alpha level of 0.05. The plan was to include up to 1000 patients with STEMI, raising the sample size to 9000 patients.

[0100] The primary efficacy analysis was to be determined in the modified intent-to-treat (mITT) population, defined as all randomized patients (excluding STEMI cohort) who received at least one dose of study drug and underwent the index PCI. The safety population consisted of all randomized patients who received any study drug. Patients in the safety analyses were assigned to a treatment arm based on treatment received, not as randomized. The ITT analysis with and without the STEMI cohort is reported.

[0101] All statistical tests were two-tailed using a level of significance of 0.05. The primary endpoint comparison between the cangrelor and placebo arms was performed by calculating an odds ratio (OR), with accompanying 95% confidence intervals (CI), using logistic regression. Logistic regression was used to analyze the majority of the remaining secondary endpoints. Continuous variables are summarized by medians and interquartile ranges. Categorical variables are summarized by frequencies and percentages. In the secondary efficacy analyses, there was no attempt to adjust the P values for the multiplicity issue. These analyses were considered exploratory and hypothesis-generating.

[0102] At the end of the study, 98% (n=8877) of the expected 9000 patients had been enrolled at 268 sites across 14 countries. For the 48-hour and 30-day endpoints, vital status follow-up was 99.7% and 98.6% complete, respectively.

[0103] Baseline demographics on the ITT population are shown in Table 5. Baseline demographics for the MITT and safety populations are shown in Tables 6 and 7.

TABLE 5
Baseline characteristics for ITT Population
	ITT	ITT Without STEMI
	Cangrelor	Clopidogrel	Cangrelor
	(N = 4433)	(N = 4444)	(N = 3946)
Baseline characteristics
Age, yrs	62.0	(54.0, 70.0)	62.0	(54.0, 71.0)	63.0	(55.0, 71.0)
Sex, No. (%)
Male	3275	(73.9)	3209	(72.2)	2891	(73.3)
Female	1158	(26.1)	1235	(27.8)	1055	(26.7)
Race, No. (%)
White	3658	(82.6)	3626	(81.7)	3229	(81.9)
Asian	311	(7.0)	313	(7.1)	294	(7.5)
Black	215	(4.9)	239	(5.4)	190	(4.8)
Hispanic	209	(4.7)	218	(4.9)	197	(5.0)
Other	35	(0.8)	42	(1.0)	31	(0.8)
Weight, kg	84.0	(73.0, 97.0)	84.0	(73.0, 97.0)	84.0	(73.0, 97.0)
Height, cm	172.0	(165.0, 178.0)	172.0	(165.0, 178.0)	172.0	(165.0, 178.0)
Stable angina, No. (%)	668	(15.1)	665	(15.0)	668	(16.9)
Unstable angina, No. (%)	1097	(24.7)	1088	(24.5)	1097	(27.8)
Urgent NSTEMI, No. (%)	639	(14.4)	640	(14.4)	639	(16.2)
NSTEMI, No. (%)	1542	(34.8)	1542	(34.7)	1542	(39.1)
STEMI, No. (%)	487	(11.0)	509	(11.5)	0	(0.0)
Medical history, No. (%)
Diabetes mellitus	1350	(30.5)	1352	(30.5)	1248	(31.6)
Current smoker	1247	(28.5)	1283	(29.1)	1035	(26.6)
Hypertension	3181	(72.1)	3139	(71.0)	2900	(73.8)
Hyperlipidemia	2825	(66.6)	2777	(65.5)	2590	(68.4)
Stroke/TIA	223	(5.1)	227	(5.1)	208	(5.3)
Family history of CAD	1843	(45.9)	1873	(46.5)	1656	(46.1)
MI	1075	(24.6)	1089	(24.8)	1003	(25.9)
PTCA/PCI	1266	(28.6)	1261	(28.5)	1193	(30.3)
CABG	557	(12.6)	552	(12.4)	541	(13.7)
Congestive HF	333	(7.6)	338	(7.7)	319	(8.2)
PAD	323	(7.4)	315	(7.2)	294	(7.6)
Periprocedural medications, No. (%)
Bivalirudin	1313	(29.6)	1337	(30.1)	1244	(31.5)
UFH	2437	(55.0)	2452	(55.3)	2154	(54.6)
LMWH	368	(8.3)	340	(7.7)	322	(8.2)
GP IIb/IIIa	1163	(26.3)	1183	(26.7)	909	(23.0)
Study treatment
Number of target vessels, No. (%)
1	3836	(88.0)	3796	(87.4)	3406	(87.3)
2	484	(11.1)	509	(11.7)	457	(11.7)
3	38	(0.9)	36	(0.8)	38	(1.0)
Drug-eluting stent, No. (%)	2581	(59.2)	2560	(59.0)	2422	(62.1)
Non-drug-eluting stent, No. (%)	1640	(37.6)	1635	(37.7)	1367	(35.0)
Angiographic complications (site reported)
Threatened abrupt closure	13	(0.3)	12	(0.3)	9	(0.2)
Unsuccessful procedure	90	(2.1)	103	(2.4)	81	(2.1)
Abrupt vessel closure	24	(0.6)	22	(0.5)	20	(0.5)
New thrombus or suspected thrombus	17	(0.4)	23	(0.5)	16	(0.4)
Acute stent thrombosis	2	(0.0)	5	(0.1)	2	(0.1)
Need for urgent CABG	10	(0.2)	7	(0.2)	8	(0.2)
IV study drug administered, No. (%)	4367	(98.5)	4355	(98.0)	3904	(99.0)
Bolus administered, No. (%)	4367	(98.5)	4354	(98.0)	3904	(99.0)
Infusion administered, No. (%)	4364	(98.5)	4353	(98.0)	3901	(98.9)
Duration of infusion, hrs	2.1	(2.0, 2.2)	2.1	(2.0, 2.2)	2.1	(2.0, 2.2)
Oral study drug administered, No. (%)	4351	(98.2)	4345	(97.8)	3896	(98.8)
	ITT Without STEMI	ITT With STEMI
	Clopidogrel	Cangrelor	Clopidogrel
	(N = 3935)	(N = 487)	(N = 509)
Baseline characteristics
Age, yrs	62.0	(54.0, 71.0)	58.0	(51.0, 67.0)	61.0	(52.0, 70.0)
Sex, No. (%)
Male	2831	(71.9)	384	(78.9)	378	(74.3)
Female	1104	(28.1)	103	(21.1)	131	(25.7)
Race, No. (%)
White	3184	(81.0)	429	(88.1)	442	(87.0)
Asian	300	(7.6)	17	(3.5)	13	(2.6)
Black	208	(5.3)	25	(5.1)	31	(6.1)
Hispanic	204	(5.2)	12	(2.5)	14	(2.8)
Other	34	(0.9)	4	(0.8)	8	(1.6)
Weight, kg	84.0	(73.0, 98.0)	83	(72.0, 95.0)	82.0	(72.0, 95.0)
Height, cm	172.0	(165.0, 178.0)	173.0	(167.6, 178.0)	172.0	(165.0, 178.0)
Stable angina, No. (%)	665	(16.9)	0	(0.0)	0	(0.0)
Unstable angina, No. (%)	1088	(27.6)	0	(0.0)	0	(0.0)
Urgent NSTEMI, No. (%)	640	(16.3)	0	(0.0)	0	(0.0)
NSTEMI, No. (%)	1542	(39.2)	0	(0.0)	0	(0.0)
STEMI, No. (%)	0	(0.0)	487	(100.0)	509	(100.0)
Medical history, No. (%)
Diabetes mellitus	1263	(32.1)	102	(20.9)	89	(17.5)
Current smoker	1076	(27.6)	212	(43.7)	207	(41.2)
Hypertension	2839	(72.4)	281	(58.1)	300	(60.0)
Hyperlipidemia	2536	(67.4)	235	(51.5)	241	(50.8)
Stroke/TIA	205	(5.2)	15	(3.1)	22	(4.4)
Family history of CAD	1686	(47.1)	187	(43.7)	187	(41.6)
MI	1007	(26.0)	72	(14.9)	82	(16.2)
PTCA/PCI	1198	(30.6)	73	(15.0)	63	(12.4)
CABG	532	(13.5)	16	(3.3)	20	(3.9)
Congestive HF	322	(8.3)	14	(2.9)	16	(3.2)
PAD	290	(7.5)	29	(6.0)	25	(5.0)
Periprocedural medications, No. (%)
Bivalirudin	1250	(31.8)	69	(14.2)	87	(17.1)
UFH	2155	(54.8)	283	(58.2)	297	(58.5)
LMWH	298	(7.6)	46	(9.5)	42	(8.3)
GP IIb/IIIa	927	(23.6)	254	(52.3)	256	(50.4)
Study treatment
Number of target vessels, No. (%)
1	3360	(86.5)	430	(94.1)	436	(95.2)
2	488	(12.6)	27	(5.9)	21	(4.6)
3	35	(0.9)	0	(0.0)	1	(0.2)
Drug-eluting stent, No. (%)	2383	(61.4)	159	(34.8)	177	(38.6)
Non-drug-eluting stent, No. (%)	1380	(35.5)	273	(59.7)	255	(55.7)
Angiographic complications (site reported)
Threatened abrupt closure	10	(0.3)	4	(0.9)	2	(0.4)
Unsuccessful procedure	92	(2.4)	9	(2.0)	11	(2.4)
Abrupt vessel closure	19	(0.5)	4	(0.9)	3	(0.7)
New thrombus or suspected thrombus	16	(0.4)	1	(0.2)	7	(1.5)
Acute stent thrombosis	5	(0.1)	0	(0.0)	0	(0.0)
Need for urgent CABG	7	(0.2)	2	(0.4)	0	(0.0)
IV study drug administered, No. (%)	3883	(98.7)	463	(95.1)	472	(92.7)
Bolus administered, No. (%)	3883	(98.7)	463	(95.1)	471	(92.5)
Infusion administered, No. (%)	3882	(98.7)	463	(95.1)	471	(92.5)
Duration of infusion, hrs	2.1	(2.0, 2.2)	2.0	(2.0, 2.2)	2.1	(2.0, 2.2)
Oral study drug administered, No. (%)	3882	(98.7)	455	(93.4)	463	(91.0)
Variables are presented as median (25th, 75th) unless otherwise indicated.
CABG denotes coronary artery bypass grafting;
CAD, coronary artery disease; GP, glycoprotein;
HF, heart failure;
ITT, intent to treat;
IV, intravenous;
LMWH, low molecular weight heparin;
MI, myocardial infarction;
NSTEMI, non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction;
PAD, peripheral artery disease;
PCI, percutaneous coronary intervention;
PTCA, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty;
STEMI, ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction;
TIA, transient ischemic attack;
UFH, unfractionated heparin.

TABLE 6
MITT and MITT NSTEMI Population
	MITT	MITT NSTEMI
	Cangrelor	Clopidogrel	Cangrelor	Clopidogrel
Baseline characteristics	(N = 4347)	(N = 4320)	(N = 3897)	(N = 3871)
Age, yrs	62.0	(54.0, 70.0)	62.0	(54.0, 71.0)	63.0	(55.0, 70.0)	62.0	(54.0, 71.0)
Sex, No. (%)
Male	3212	(73.9)	3124	(72.3)	2854	(73.2)	2786	(72.0)
Female	1135	(26.1)	1196	(27.7)	1043	(26.8)	1085	(28.0)
Race, No. (%)
White	3589	(82.7)	3516	(81.5)	3193	(82.0)	3127	(80.9)
Asian	306	(7.0)	312	(7.2)	289	(7.4)	299	(7.7)
Black	208	(4.8)	230	(5.3)	185	(4.8)	205	(5.3)
Hispanic	205	(4.7)	214	(5.0)	194	(5.0)	201	(5.2)
Other	34	(0.8)	42	(1.0)	31	(0.8)	34	(0.9)
Weight, kg	84.0	(73.0, 97.0)	84.0	(73.0, 97.0)	84.0	(73.0, 97.0)	84.0	(73.0, 97.0)
Height, cm	172.0	(165.0, 178.0)	172.0	(165.0, 178.0)	172.0	(165.0, 178.0)	172.0	(165.0, 178.0)
Stable angina, No. (%)	659	(15.2)	645	(14.9)	659	(16.9)	645	(16.7)
Unstable angina, No. (%)	1088	(25.0)	1071	(24.8)	1088	(27.9)	1071	(27.7)
Urgent NSTEMI, No. (%)	627	(14.4)	632	(14.6)	627	(16.1)	632	(16.3)
NSTEMI, No. (%)	1523	(35.0)	1523	(35.3)	1523	(39.1)	1523	(39.3)
STEMI, No. (%)	450	(10.4)	449	(10.4)	0	(0.0)	0	(0.0)
Medical history, No. (%)
Diabetes mellitus	1327	(30.5)	1313	(30.4)	1233	(31.7)	1238	(32.0)
Current smoker	1229	(28.6)	1245	(29.0)	1025	(26.6)	1057	(27.5)
Hypertension	3122	(72.2)	3045	(70.9)	2865	(73.8)	2788	(72.3)
Hyperlipidemia	2771	(66.6)	2705	(65.7)	2555	(68.3)	2491	(67.3)
Stroke/TIA	220	(5.1)	218	(5.1)	206	(5.3)	201	(5.2)
Family history of CAD	1809	(45.9)	1825	(46.6)	1637	(46.1)	1656	(47.1)
MI	1059	(24.7)	1054	(24.7)	991	(25.9)	983	(25.8)
PTCA/PCI	1247	(28.8)	1229	(28.6)	1181	(30.4)	1172	(30.4)
CABG	546	(12.6)	537	(12.4)	533	(13.7)	521	(13.5)
Congestive HF	325	(7.5)	326	(7.6)	314	(8.1)	311	(8.1)
PAD	320	(7.5)	304	(7.2)	292	(7.6)	282	(7.4)
Periprocedural medications, No. (%)
Bivalirudin	1298	(29.9)	1316	(30.5)	1232	(31.6)	1232	(31.8)
UFH	2399	(55.2)	2404	(55.7)	2134	(54.8)	2132	(55.1)
LMWH	364	(8.4)	334	(7.7)	319	(8.2)	297	(7.7)
GP IIb/IIIa	1148	(26.4)	1160	(26.9)	903	(23.2)	921	(23.8)
Study treatment
Number of target vessels, No. (%)
1	3818	(88.0)	3772	(87.4)	3395	(87.3)	3345	(86.5)
2	482	(11.1)	506	(11.7)	455	(11.7)	485	(12.5)
3	38	(0.9)	36	(0.8)	38	(1.0)	35	(0.9)
Drug-eluting stent, No. (%)	2572	(59.3)	2547	(59.0)	2415	(62.1)	2375	(61.4)
Non-drug-eluting stent, No. (%)	1632	(37.6)	1628	(37.7)	1362	(35.0)	1375	(35.6)
Angiographic complications
(site reported)
Threatened abrupt closure	13	(0.3)	12	(0.3)	9	(0.2)	10	(0.3)
Unsuccessful procedure	90	(2.1)	103	(2.4)	81	(2.1)	92	(2.4)
Abrupt vessel closure	24	(0.6)	22	(0.5)	20	(0.5)	19	(0.5)
New thrombus or suspected thrombus	17	(0.4)	22	(0.5)	16	(0.4)	16	(0.4)
Acute stent thrombosis	2	(0.0)	5	(0.1)	2	(0.1)	5	(0.1)
Need for urgent CABG	8	(0.2)	6	(0.1)	7	(0.2)	6	(0.2)
IV study drug administered, No. (%)	4345	(100.0)	4317	(99.9)	3895	(99.9)	3868	(99.9)
Bolus administered, No. (%)	4345	(100.0)	4316	(99.9)	3895	(99.9)	3868	(99.9)
Infusion administered, No. (%)	4344	(99.9)	4317	(99.9)	3894	(99.9)	3868	(99.9)
Duration of infusion, hrs	2.1	(2.0, 2.2)	2.1	(2.0, 2.2)	2.1	(2.0, 2.2)	2.1	(2.0, 2.2)
Oral study drug administered, No. (%)	4329	(99.6)	4305	(99.7)	3884	(99.7)	3863	(99.8)
Variables are presented as median (25th, 75th) unless otherwise indicated. CABG denotes coronary artery bypass grafting; CAD, coronary artery disease; GP, glycoprotein; HF, heart failure; IV, intravenous; LMWH, low molecular weight heparin; MI, myocardial infarction; MITT, modified intent to treat; NSTEMI, non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction; PAD, peripheral artery disease; PCI, percutaneous coronary intervention; PTCA, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty; STEMI, ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction; TLA, transient ischemic attack; UFH, unfractionated heparin.

TABLE 7
Safety Population
Baseline	Cangrelor	Clopidogrel
characteristics	(N = 4374)	(N = 4365)
Age, yrs	62.0	(54.0, 70.0)	62.0	(54.0, 71.0)
Sex, No. (%)
Male	3229	(73.8)	3149	(72.1)
Female	1145	(26.2)	1216	(27.9)
Race, No. (%)
White	3610	(82.6)	3558	(81.6)
Asian	309	(7.1)	312	(7.2)
Black	208	(4.8)	233	(5.3)
Hispanic	206	(4.7)	215	(4.9)
Other	36	(0.8)	41	(1.0)
Weight, kg	84.0	(73.0, 97.0)	84.0	(73.0, 97.0)
Height, cm	172.0	(165.0, 178.0)	172.0	(165.0, 178.0)
Stable angina,	661	(15.1)	654	(15.0)
No. (%)
Unstable angina,	1091	(24.9)	1074	(24.6)
No. (%)
Urgent NSTEMI,	629	(14.4)	634	(14.5)
No. (%)
NSTEMI, No. (%)	1529	(35.0)	1529	(35.0)
STEMI, No. (%)	463	(10.6)	475	(10.9)
Medical history, No. (%)
Diabetes mellitus	1337	(30.6)	1325	(30.4)
Current smoker	1233	(28.5)	1257	(29.0)
Hypertension	3143	(72.2)	3083	(71.0)
Hyperlipidemia	2787	(66.6)	2728	(65.6)
Stroke/TIA	220	(5.1)	221	(5.1)
Family history	1818	(45.8)	1838	(46.5)
of CAD
MI	1064	(24.7)	1067	(24.8)
PTCA/PCI	1253	(28.7)	1237	(28.4)
CABG	550	(12.6)	540	(12.4)
Congestive HF	328	(7.6)	332	(7.7)
PAD	321	(7.5)	309	(7.2)
Periprocedural
medications, No. (%)
Bivalirudin	1299	(29.7)	1320	(30.2)
UFH	2413	(55.2)	2424	(55.5)
LMWH	365	(8.4)	340	(7.8)
GP IIb/IIIa	1154	(26.4)	1170	(26.8)
Study treatment
Number of target
vessels, No. (%)
1	3819	(88.0)	3771	(87.4)
2	482	(11.1)	506	(11.7)
3	38	(0.9)	36	(0.8)
Drug-eluting stent,	2572	(59.3)	2547	(59.0)
No. (%)
Non-drug-eluting	1633	(37.6)	1627	(37.7)
stent, No. (%)
Angiographic
complications
(site reported)
Threatened abrupt	13	(0.3)	12	(0.3)
closure
Unsuccessful	90	(2.1)	103	(2.4)
procedure
Abrupt vessel	24	(0.6)	22	(0.5)
closure
New thrombus or	17	(0.4)	22	(0.5)
suspected thrombus
Acute stent	2	(0.0)	5	(0.1)
thrombosis
Need for urgent CABG	8	(0.2)	6	(0.1)
IV study drug	4368	(99.9)	4354	(99.7)
administered, No. (%)
Bolus administered,	4368	(99.9)	4353	(99.7)
No. (%)
Infusion administered,	4365	(99.8)	4352	(99.7)
No. (%)
Duration of infusion,	2.1	(2.0, 2.2)	2.1	(2.0, 2.2)
hrs
Oral study drug	4352	(99.5)	4344	(99.5)
administered, No. (%)
Variables are presented as median (25th, 75th) unless otherwise indicated. CABG denotes coronary artery bypass grafting; CAD, coronary artery disease; GP, glycoprotein; HF, heart failure; IV, intravenous; LMWH, low molecular weight heparin; MI, myocardial infarction; NSTEMI, non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction; PAD, peripheral artery disease; PCI, percutaneous coronary intervention; PTCA, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty; STEMI, ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction; TLA, transient ischemic attack; UFH, unfractionated heparin.

[0104] There were no significant differences regarding baseline characteristics. Enrolled patients were typical of a contemporary PCI population, being mostly men and having a median age of 62 years (54.0, 71.0). Diabetes was noted in 30.5% while hypertension or hyperlipidemia was present in the majority of patients. Previous cardiac events included MI in 24.7% and revascularization in 41.1% (28.6% PCI, 12.5% bypass grafting). Almost half (49%) of enrolled patients had NSTEMI at baseline while stable angina and unstable angina were the baseline diagnoses in 15.0% and 24.6%, respectively. The STEMI cohort included 996 (11.2%) patients.

[0105] During the index procedure, a majority of patients (55.1%) received unfractionated heparin, and 29.9% received bivalirudin. Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors were used in 26.5% with most receiving eptifibatide (75.0%). Almost all (98%) patients in the ITT population received study drug. Sites were instructed to start PCI within 30 minutes of clopidogrel capsules.

[0106] PCI was attempted in all but 161 patients (1.8%), 65 in the cangrelor group (1.5%) and 96 in the clopidogrel group (2.2%). The median duration of PCI was 0.4 hours (0.2, 0.6) and the median time from hospital admission to PCI was 6.3 hours (2.6, 23.7). Most procedures involved single-vessel or two-vessel PCI (87.7% and 11.4%, respectively). Drug-eluting stents were used in the majority of interventions (59.1%), bare-metal stents were used in 37.6%.

[0107] Cangrelor was equivalent to 600 mg clopidogrel in the primary composite of all-cause mortality, MI, or ischemia-driven revascularization at 48 hours (7.5% vs 7.1%; OR 1.05, 95% CI 0.88, 1.24; P=0.59) (Table 8).

TABLE 8
48-hour endpoints for MITT Without STEMI Population
	MITT Without STEMI
	Cangrelor	Clopidogrel		P
	(N = 3897)	(N = 3871)	OR (95% CI)	Value
Adjudicated
endpoints
Mortality/MI/	290 (7.5)	276 (7.1)	1.05 (0.88, 1.24)	0.59
IDR (primary
endpoint)
MI	278 (7.1)	256 (6.6)	1.09 (0.91, 1.29)	0.36
IDR	13 (0.3)	23 (0.6)	0.56 (0.28, 1.11)	0.10
All-cause	8 (0.2)	5 (0.1)	1.59 (0.52, 4.87)	0.42
mortality
Stent	7 (0.2)	11 (0.3)	0.63 (0.25, 1.63)	0.34
thrombosis
Stroke	6 (0.2)	7 (0.2)	0.85 (0.29, 2.54)	0.77
Q-wave MI	4 (0.1)	10 (0.3)	0.40 (0.12, 1.27)	0.12
Exploratory
endpoints
Mortality/	23 (0.6)	34 (0.9)	0.67 (0.39, 1.14)	0.14
Q-wave MI/IDR
Mortality/	18 (0.5)	23 (0.6)	0.78 (0.42, 1.44)	0.42
Q-wave MI/Stent
thrombosis

[0108] The primary efficacy composite did not differ at 30 days (Table 9). FIGS. 6A and 6B display the primary endpoint OR data for key subgroups.

TABLE 9
30-day endpoints for ITT, MITT, and Safety Populations
	ITT
	Cangrelor	Clopidogrel
	(N = 4433)	(N = 4444)	OR (95% CI)	P Value
Mortality/MI/IDR	381 (8.7)	373 (8.5)	1.026 (0.884, 1.192)	0.7332
MI	318 (7.3)	293 (6.7)	1.095 (0.929, 1.291)	0.2799
IDR	62 (1.4)	69 (1.6)	0.899 (0.637, 1.271)	0.5475
All-cause mortality	40 (0.9)	47 (1.1)	0.852 (0.558, 1.301)	0.4583
Stent thrombosis	27 (0.6)	30 (0.7)	0.902 (0.535, 1.519)	0.6973
Q-wave MI	9 (0.2)	15 (0.3)	0.601 (0.263, 1.374)	0.2273
Mortality/Q-wave MI/IDR	102 (2.3)	119 (2.7)	0.856 (0.655, 1.119)	0.2550
Mortality/Q-wave	68 (1.6)	82 (1.9)	0.829 (0.599, 1.146)	0.2560
MI/Stent thrombosis
	ITT Without STEMI
	Cangrelor	Clopidogrel
	(N = 3946)	(N = 3935)	OR (95% CI)	P Value
Mortality/MI/IDR	345 (8.8)	332 (8.6)	1.037 (0.886, 1.215)	0.6481
MI	298 (7.6)	276 (7.1)	1.081 (0.912, 1.281)	0.3718
IDR	46 (1.2)	54 (1.4)	0.846 (0.569, 1.257)	0.4072
All-cause mortality	32 (0.8)	31 (0.8)	1.027 (0.626, 1.687)	0.9148
Stent thrombosis	20 (0.5)	20 (0.5)	0.995 (0.535, 1.852)	0.9877
Q-wave MI	7 (0.2)	15 (0.4)	0.463 (0.189, 1.138)	0.0933
Mortality/Q-wave MI/IDR	79 (2.0)	88 (2.3)	0.891 (0.656, 1.211)	0.4620
Mortality/Q-wave	54 (1.4)	56 (1.4)	0.959 (0.658, 1.397)	0.8276
MI/Stent thrombosis
	ITT With STEMI
	Cangrelor	Clopidogrel
	(N = 487)	(N = 509)	OR (95% CI)	P Value
Mortality/MI/IDR	36 (7.6)	41 (8.2)	0.929 (0.582, 1.480)	0.7553
MI	20 (4.2)	17 (3.4)	1.263 (0.653, 2.441)	0.4882
IDR	16 (3.4)	15 (3.0)	1.139 (0.557, 2.331)	0.7210
All-cause mortality	8 (1.7)	16 (3.2)	0.524 (0.222, 1.235)	0.1397
Stent thrombosis	7 (1.5)	10 (2.0)	0.741 (0.280, 1.962)	0.5460
Q-wave MI	2 (0.4)	0 (0.0)	—	—
Mortality/Q-wave MI/IDR	23 (4.9)	31 (6.2)	0.778 (0.447, 1.355)	0.3760
Mortality/Q-wave	14 (3.0)	26 (5.2)	0.560 (0.289, 1.085)	0.0859
MI/Stent thrombosis
	MITT
	Cangrelor	Clopidogrel
	(N = 4347)	(N = 4320)	OR (95% CI)	P Value
Mortality/MI/IDR	376 (8.7)	360 (8.4)	1.042 (0.895, 1.211)	0.5979
MI	315 (7.3)	292 (6.8)	1.078 (0.914, 1.271)	0.3747
IDR	60 (1.4)	66 (1.5)	0.902 (0.634, 1.283)	0.5660
All-cause mortality	40 (0.9)	38 (0.9)	1.046 (0.670, 1.635)	0.8419
Stent thrombosis	27 (0.6)	30 (0.7)	0.894 (0.530, 1.506)	0.6728
Q-wave MI	9 (0.2)	15 (0.4)	0.595 (0.260, 1.362)	0.2194
Mortality/Q-wave MI/IDR	100 (2.3)	107 (2.5)	0.927 (0.703, 1.222)	0.5904
Mortality/Q-wave	68 (1.6)	73 (1.7)	0.924 (0.663, 1.290)	0.6439
MI/Stent thrombosis
	MITT Without STEMI
	Cangrelor	Clopidogrel
	(N = 3897)	(N = 3871)	OR (95% CI)	P Value
Mortality/MI/IDR	342 (8.9)	326 (8.5)	1.044 (0.891, 1.224)	0.5950
MI	297 (7.7)	276 (7.2)	1.072 (0.905, 1.272)	0.4208
IDR	44 (1.1)	52 (1.4)	0.837 (0.559, 1.254)	0.3882
All-cause mortality	32 (0.8)	27 (0.7)	1.177 (0.704, 1.967)	0.5355
Stent thrombosis	20 (0.5)	20 (0.5)	0.991 (0.533, 1.846)	0.9783
Q-wave MI	7 (0.2)	15 (0.4)	0.462 (0.188, 1.134)	0.0917
Mortality/Q-wave MI/IDR	77 (2.0)	82 (2.1)	0.930 (0.679, 1.273)	0.6489
Mortality/Q-wave	54 (1.4)	52 (1.4)	1.030 (0.702, 1.511)	0.8799
MI/Stent thrombosis
	MITT With STEMI
	Cangrelor	Clopidogrel
	(N = 450)	(N = 449)	OR (95% CI)	P Value
Mortality/MI/IDR	34 (7.8)	34 (7.7)	1.015 (0.619, 1.665)	0.9534
MI	18 (4.1)	16 (3.6)	1.146 (0.577, 2.278)	0.6965
IDR	16 (3.7)	14 (3.2)	1.165 (0.561, 2.416)	0.6825
All-cause mortality	8 (1.8)	11 (2.5)	0.732 (0.292, 1.838)	0.5072
Stent thrombosis	7 (1.6)	10 (2.3)	0.705 (0.266, 1.869)	0.4821
Q-wave MI	2 (0.5)	0 (0.0)	—	—
Mortality/Q-wave MI/IDR	23 (5.3)	25 (5.6)	0.929 (0.519, 1.663)	0.8039
Mortality/Q-wave	14 (3.2)	21 (4.7)	0.665 (0.334, 1.325)	0.2464
MI/Stent thrombosis
	Safety
	Cangrelor	Clopidogrel
	(N = 4374)	(N = 4365)	OR (95% CI)	P Value
Mortality/MI/IDR	379 (8.8)	365 (8.5)	1.040 (0.895, 1.209)	0.6074
MI	318 (7.4)	293 (6.8)	1.090 (0.925, 1.285)	0.3039
IDR	60 (1.4)	67 (1.6)	0.893 (0.628, 1.268)	0.5257
All-cause mortality	40 (0.9)	41 (0.9)	0.974 (0.629, 1.508)	0.9053
Stent thrombosis	27 (0.6)	30 (0.7)	0.898 (0.533, 1.513)	0.6858
Q-wave MI	9 (0.2)	15 (0.3)	0.598 (0.262, 1.368)	0.2236
Mortality/Q-wave MI/IDR	100 (2.3)	111 (2.6)	0.897 (0.682, 1.179)	0.4364
Mortality/Q-wave	68 (1.6)	76 (1.8)	0.892 (0.641, 1.240)	0.4954
MI/Stent thrombosis
Variables are presented as no. (%) unless otherwise indicated. CI denotes confidence interval; IDR, ischemia-driven revascularization; ITT, intent to treat; MI, myocardial infarction; MITT, modified intent to treat; OR, odds ratio; STEMI, ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

[0109] Forty-eight-hour bleeding events as observed in the safety population (including those with STEMI) are in Table 10. Reported adverse events were comparable between the groups (26.4% cangrelor, 25.7% clopidogrel) and discontinuation of study drug due to an adverse event was unusual in both groups (0.5% in both). Serious adverse events were infrequent and similar between the groups (2.7% in both). Dyspnea was reported in 1.0% of cangrelor patients compared with 0.4% of clopidogrel patients (P=0.001).

TABLE 10
48-hour bleeding events for safety population
	Cangrelor	Clopidogrel
Bleeding events	(N = 4374)	(N = 4365)	OR (95% CI)	P Value
Access site bleeding requiring	6 (0.1)	10 (0.2)	0.60 (0.22, 1.65)	0.32
radiologic or surgical intervention
Hematoma ≧5 cm at puncture site	85 (1.9)	76 (1.7)	1.12 (0.82, 1.53)	0.48
Intracranial hemorrhage	1 (0.0)	0 (0.0)
Intraocular	2 (0.0)	0 (0.0)
Reoperation for bleeding	1 (0.0)	1 (0.0)	1.00 (0.06, 15.96)	1.00
Retroperitoneal	15 (0.3)	10 (0.2)	1.50 (0.67, 3.34)	0.32
Ecchymosis	284 (6.5)	234 (5.4)	1.23 (1.03, 1.47)	0.03
Epistaxis	9 (0.2)	22 (0.5)	0.41 (0.19, 0.89)	0.02
Hematoma <5 cm at puncture site	251 (5.7)	222 (5.1)	1.14 (0.94, 1.37)	0.18
Oozing at puncture site	400 (9.1)	319 (7.3)	1.28 (1.10, 1.49)	0.002
Thrombocytopenia	6 (0.1)	7 (0.2)	0.86 (0.29, 2.55)	0.78
Hemodynamic compromise	9 (0.2)	11 (0.3)	0.82 (0.34, 1.97)	0.65
Any blood transfusion	46 (1.1)	42 (1.0)	1.09 (0.72, 1.67)	0.68
Any platelet transfusion	6 (0.1)	5 (0.1)	1.20 (0.37, 3.93)	0.77
Drop in hemoglobin and/or hematocrit	91 (2.1)	63 (1.4)	1.45 (1.05, 2.01)	0.02
Bleed scoring criteria
ACUITY criteria
Minor bleeding	768 (17.6)	663 (15.2)	1.19 (1.06, 1.33)	0.003
Major bleeding	158 (3.6)	126 (2.9)	1.26 (0.99, 1.60)	0.06
GUSTO criteria
Mild bleeding	858 (19.6)	739 (16.9)	1.20 (1.07, 1.34)	0.001
Moderate bleeding	41 (0.9)	34 (0.8)	1.21 (0.76, 1.90)	0.42
Severe/life-threatening bleeding	10 (0.2)	11 (0.3)	0.91 (0.39, 2.14)	0.82
TIMI criteria
Minor bleeding	36 (0.8)	26 (0.6)	1.39 (0.84, 2.30)	0.21
Major bleeding	19 (0.4)	14 (0.3)	1.36 (0.68, 2.71)	0.39
Variables are presented as no. (%) unless otherwise indicated. The bleeding options under each criterion are not mutually exclusive. For example, a patient may have a clinically significant bleed and a minor bleed based on the ACUITY criteria, if more than 1 bleed is present. Each patient will be counted once for each criteria level, regardless of the number of bleeds identified under each criterion.

[0110] Key secondary and composite exploratory (post-hoc) endpoints are displayed in Table 11.

TABLE 11
48-hour endpoints for ITT, MITT, and Safety Populations
	MITT Without STEMI
	Cangrelor	Clopidogrel
	(N = 3897)	(N = 3871)	OR (95% CI)	P Value
Mortality/MI/IDR	290 (7.5)	276 (7.1)	1.048 (0.883, 1.243)	0.5929
(Prespecified
primary endpoint)
MI	278 (7.1)	256 (6.6)	1.085 (0.910, 1.294)	0.3616
IDR	13 (0.3)	23 (0.6)	0.560 (0.283, 1.108)	0.0957
All-cause mortality	8 (0.2)	5 (0.1)	1.591 (0.520, 4.869)	0.4155
Stent thrombosis	7 (0.2)	11 (0.3)	0.632 (0.245, 1.631)	0.3427
Stroke	6 (0.2)	7 (0.2)	0.852 (0.286, 2.536)	0.7730
Q-wave MI	4 (0.1)	10 (0.3)	0.397 (0.124, 1.267)	0.1186
Mortality/Q-wave	23 (0.6)	34 (0.9)	0.670 (0.394, 1.140)	0.1399
MI/IDR
Mortality/Q-wave	18 (0.5)	23 (0.6)	0.777 (0.419, 1.442)	0.4233
MI/Stent
thrombosis
	ITT
	Cangrelor	Clopidogrel
	(N = 4433)	(N = 4444)	OR (95% CI)	P Value
Mortality/MI/IDR	312 (7.1)	297 (6.7)	1.058 (0.898, 1.248)	0.4990
MI	294 (6.7)	265 (6.0)	1.122 (0.945, 1.331)	0.1899
IDR	21 (0.5)	31 (0.7)	0.678 (0.389, 1.182)	0.1710
All-cause mortality	9 (0.2)	11 (0.2)	0.821 (0.340, 1.983)	0.6607
Stent thrombosis	11 (0.2)	15 (0.3)	0.735 (0.337, 1.603)	0.4393
Stroke	6 (0.1)	8 (0.2)	0.752 (0.261, 2.170)	0.5986
Q-wave MI	4 (0.1)	10 (0.2)	0.401 (0.126, 1.279)	0.1226
Mortality/Q-wave	32 (0.7)	48 (1.1)	0.667 (0.425, 1.045)	0.0770
MI/IDR
Mortality/Q-wave	23 (0.5)	33 (0.7)	0.698 (0.409, 1.191)	0.1869
MI/Stent
thrombosis
	ITT Without STEMI
	Cangrelor	Clopidogrel
	(N = 3946)	(N = 3935)	OR (95% CI)	P Value
Mortality/MI/IDR	292 (7.4)	277 (7.1)	1.056 (0.890, 1.252)	0.5323
MI	278 (7.1)	256 (6.5)	1.090 (0.914, 1.299)	0.3378
IDR	15 (0.4)	23 (0.6)	0.649 (0.338, 1.246)	0.1943
All-cause mortality	8 (0.2)	6 (0.2)	1.331 (0.461, 3.839)	0.5969
Stent thrombosis	7 (0.2)	11 (0.3)	0.634 (0.246, 1.638)	0.3469
Stroke	6 (0.2)	7 (0.2)	0.855 (0.287, 2.546)	0.7784
Q-wave MI	4 (0.1)	10 (0.3)	0.398 (0.125, 1.272)	0.1202
Mortality/Q-wave	25 (0.6)	35 (0.9)	0.711 (0.425, 1.190)	0.1941
MI/IDR
Mortality/Q-wave	18 (0.5)	24 (0.6)	0.747 (0.405, 1.379)	0.3511
MI/Stent
thrombosis
	ITT With STEMI
	Cangrelor	Clopidogrel
	(N = 487)	(N = 509)	OR (95% CI)	P Value
Mortality/MI/IDR	20 (4.1)	20 (3.9)	1.054 (0.560, 1.985)	0.8703
MI	16 (3.3)	9 (1.8)	1.900 (0.831, 4.341)	0.1280
IDR	6 (1.2)	8 (1.6)	0.786 (0.271, 2.283)	0.6584
All-cause mortality	1 (0.2)	5 (1.0)	0.209 (0.024, 1.793)	0.1534
Stent thrombosis	4 (0.8)	4 (0.8)	1.052 (0.262, 4.321)	0.9428
Stroke	0 (0.0)	1 (0.2)	—	—
Q-wave MI	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)	—	—
Mortality/Q-wave	7 (1.5)	13 (2.6)	0.560 (0.222, 1.416)	0.2204
MI/IDR
Mortality/Q-wave	5 (1.0)	9 (1.8)	0.580 (0.193, 1.743)	0.3320
MI/Stent
thrombosis
	MITT
	Cangrelor	Clopidogrel
	(N = 4347)	(N = 4320)	OR (95% CI)	P Value
Mortality/MI/IDR	308 (7.1)	293 (6.8)	1.049 (0.889, 1.238)	0.5709
MI	292 (6.7)	264 (6.1)	1.107 (0.932, 1.315)	0.2451
IDR	19 (0.4)	30 (0.7)	0.628 (0.353, 1.118)	0.1140
All-cause mortality	9 (0.2)	9 (0.2)	0.995 (0.394, 2.508)	0.9910
Stent thrombosis	11 (0.3)	15 (0.3)	0.729 (0.334, 1.588)	0.4261
Stroke	6 (0.1)	7 (0.2)	0.852 (0.286, 2.538)	0.7742
Q-wave MI	4 (0.1)	10 (0.2)	0.397 (0.125, 1.268)	0.1190
Mortality/Q-wave	30 (0.7)	45 (1.0)	0.661 (0.416, 1.051)	0.0801
MI/IDR
Mortality/Q-wave	23 (0.5)	31 (0.7)	0.737 (0.429, 1.265)	0.2681
MI/Stent
thrombosis
	MITT With STEMI
	Cangrelor	Clopidogrel
	(N = 450)	(N = 449)	OR (95% CI)	P Value
Mortality/MI/IDR	18 (4.0)	17 (3.8)	1.064 (0.541, 2.092)	0.8578
MI	14 (3.1)	8 (1.8)	1.778 (0.739, 4.282)	0.1991
IDR	6 (1.3)	7 (1.6)	0.857 (0.286, 2.571)	0.7833
All-cause mortality	1 (0.2)	4 (0.9)	0.249 (0.028, 2.235)	0.2143
Stent thrombosis	4 (0.9)	4 (0.9)	1.002 (0.249, 4.033)	0.9975
Stroke	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)	—	—
Q-wave MI	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)	—	—
Mortality/Q-wave	7 (1.6)	11 (2.5)	0.632 (0.243, 1.645)	0.3473
MI/IDR
Mortality/Q-wave	5 (1.1)	8 (1.8)	0.622 (0.202, 1.917)	0.4084
MI/Stent
thrombosis
	Safety
	Cangrelor	Clopidogrel
	(N = 4374)	(N = 4365)	OR (95% CI)	P Value
Mortality/MI/IDR	310 (7.1)	294 (6.7)	1.058 (0.896, 1.248)	0.5073
MI	294 (6.7)	265 (6.1)	1.116 (0.940, 1.325)	0.2091
IDR	19 (0.4)	30 (0.7)	0.631 (0.355, 1.123)	0.1175
All-cause mortality	9 (0.2)	9 (0.2)	0.999 (0.396, 2.519)	0.9984
Stent thrombosis	11 (0.3)	15 (0.3)	0.732 (0.336, 1.595)	0.4326
Stroke	6 (0.1)	7 (0.2)	0.856 (0.288, 2.550)	0.7803
Q-wave MI	4 (0.1)	10 (0.2)	0.399 (0.125, 1.273)	0.1207
Mortality/Q-wave	30 (0.7)	45 (1.0)	0.664 (0.417, 1.056)	0.0834
MI/IDR
Mortality/Q-wave	23 (0.5)	31 (0.7)	0.740 (0.431, 1.271)	0.2751
MI/Stent
thrombosis
Variables are presented as no. (%) unless otherwise indicated. CI denotes confidence interval; IDR, ischemia-driven revascularization; ITT, intent to treat; MI, myocardial infarction; MITT, modified intent to treat; OR, odds ratio; STEMI, ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

[0111] A substudy was conducted at 15 sites to evaluate platelet function during infusion and to assess whether the administration of a cangrelor infusion prior to administration of clopidogrel 600 mg has any effect on platelet inhibition by clopidogrel. Patients in the substudy were required to be clopidogrel naïve and could not have received glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibition during the procedure. Platelet function parameters were measured using the VerifyNow P2Y₁₂ Assay (Accumetrics, San Diego, Calif.). Samples were taken before study drug administration, at approximately 2 hours (during cangrelor/placebo infusion), and 10 hours or next day following randomization.

[0112] The median baseline P2Y₁₂ reaction units (PRU) from the VerifyNow P2Y₁₂ assay were 335 in the cangrelor arm (264, 384; n=97) and 329 in the clopidogrel arm (285.5, 376.5; n=100). During the study drug infusion, the median PRU was significantly lower in the cangrelor arm (93.5; 40.0, 173.5; n=64) compared with the clopidogrel arm during the same time period (277; 206.0, 355.0; n=74). At 12-24 hours after discontinuation of the cangrelor infusion, the median PRU was 228 in the cangrelor arm (156.0, 298.0; n=87) and 206 in the clopidogrel arm (135.0, 274.0; n=87).

[0113] The results of this study demonstrated that the benefits of cangrelor infusion were equivalent to those of 600 mg clopidogrel using the predefined primary endpoint, although significantly higher levels of periprocedural platelet inhibition were achieved with cangrelor.

[0114] The efficacy and safety of cangrelor versus clopidogrel standard of care therapy was examined in patients with atherosclerosis undergoing PCI in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, double-dummy study.

[0115] A total of 11,145 patients underwent randomization at 153 sites in 12 countries from Sep. 30, 2010 to Oct. 3, 2012. Randomization was performed before PCI with the use of an interactive voice-response or Web-response system, with stratification according to site, baseline status (normal or abnormal, as defined by a combination of biomarker levels, electrocardiographic changes, and symptoms), and intended loading dose of clopidogrel (600 mg or 300 mg). Randomization divided the patients into two groups: the cangrelor group and the clopidogrel group. Patients assigned to the cangrelor group were administered: (i) placebo capsules (before or immediately after PCI to match clopidogrel capsules administered in the clopidogrel group); (ii) a cangrelor bolus (30 μg/kg)/infusion (4 μg/kg/min); and (iii) capsules containing 600 mg of clopidogrel administered at the end of infusion. Patients assigned to the clopidogrel group were administered: (i) clopidogrel capsules (300 mg or 600 mg before or immediately after PCI, with the dose and timing of administration determined at the discretion of the site investigator); (ii) a placebo bolus/infusion (to match the cangrelor bolus/infusion administered in the cangrelor group); and (iii) placebo capsules administered at the end of the infusion (to match the capsules containing 600 mg of clopidogrel administered at the end of the infusion in the cangrelor group). The cangrelor or placebo infusion was administered for at least 2 hours or the duration of the PCI procedure, whichever was longer. A summary of the study design is shown in FIG. 7.

[0116] The protocol called for aspirin (75 to 325 mg) to be administered to all patients. The protocol also called for a maintenance dose of clopidogrel (75 mg) to be administered during the first 48 hours after randomization; thereafter, clopidogrel or another P2Y₁₂ inhibitor could be administered at the discretion of the investigator, according to local guidelines. The choice of a periprocedural anticoagulant (bivalirudin, unfractionated heparin, low-molecular-weight heparin, or fondaparinux) was also at the discretion of the investigator. Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors were allowed only as rescue therapy during PCI to treat new or persistent thrombus formation, slow or no reflow, side-branch compromise, dissection, or distal embolization. The investigator at the site determined the protocol for management of the arterial sheath.

[0117] The inclusion criteria for the trial were men or nonpregnant women, 18 years of age or older with coronary atherosclerosis who required PCI for stable angina, a non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome, or ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Patients were required to provide written informed consent.

[0118] Major exclusion criteria were receipt of a P2Y₁₂ inhibitor or abciximab at any time in the 7 days before randomization and receipt of eptifibatide or tirofiban or fibrinolytic therapy in the 12 hours before randomization.

[0119] The primary efficacy end point was the composite rate of death from any cause, myocardial infarction, IDR, or stent thrombosis in the 48 hours after randomization in the modified intention-to-treat population (which comprised patients who actually underwent PCI and received the study drug). The protocol specified that if more than 15% of the patients received a 300-mg loading dose of clopidogrel (as compared with a 600-mg dose) at the time of randomization, the primary analysis was to be adjusted for loading dose in addition to baseline status. The key secondary end point was the incidence of stent thrombosis at 48 hours. This end point included definite stent thrombosis, defined according to the criteria of the Academic Research Consortium, or intraprocedural stent thrombosis, which was assessed, with group assignments concealed, at an angiographic core laboratory (Cardiovascular Research Foundation). Intraprocedural stent thrombosis was defined as any new or worsened thrombus related to the stent procedure that was confirmed angiographically. Events of death, myocardial infarction, IDR, and stent thrombosis that occurred during the first 30 days after randomization were adjudicated by the clinical events committee at the Duke Clinical Research Institute. The criteria that the clinical events committee used to define myocardial infarction are provided in Tables 12A and 12B. The study adhered to the universal definition of myocardial infarction for myocardial infarction unrelated to PCI but expanded on the definition of PCI-related myocardial infarction.

TABLE 12A
Baseline status assessment and trigger logic.*
	Cardiac Markers		Ischemic Symptoms2
	(Troponin Preferred; use		(Angina or equivalent
Baseline Status	CKMB if not available)	ECG1 (12 Lead)	symptoms at rest)
Baseline Normal
(No MI at baseline)
Stable angina/elective	All samples within 6 hours	AND: no	AND: no ongoing ACS
	prior to access sample are	presumed new	symptoms or symptoms
	normal (1 sample sufficient;	changes	within 6 hours prior to access
	samples can be <6 hr apart)		site sample
NSTE-ACS	2 normal samples ≧6 hours	AND: no	AND: no ongoing ACS
	apart (sample 2 is the access	presumed new	symptoms or symptoms
	sample)	changes	within 6 hours prior to access
			site sample
Baseline Abnormal
(MI ongoing at baseline)
Decreasing & returns to	2 samples ≧6 hours apart with	AND: no	AND: no recent symptoms
normal	most recent access sample	presumed new	within 6 hours prior to access
	returned to normal	ECG changes	site sample
Decreasing & remains	2 samples ≧6 hours apart with	AND: no	AND: no recent symptoms
abnormal	most recent access sample	presumed new	within 6 hours prior to access
	fallen at least 20%	ECG changes	site sample
Increasing	Insufficient biomarker data for	OR: Presumed	OR: recent symptoms within
	all other categories	new changes	6 hours prior to access site
		including STEMI	sample
Baseline unknown	No samples pre PCI available
*CKMB denotes creatine kinase-myocardial band isoenzyme, ECG denotes electrocardiography, MI denotes myocardial infarction, NSTE-ACS denotes non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome, and STEMI denotes ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.
1ECG changes: ST segment elevation/depression >0.1 mV (>1 mm) in at least 2 contiguous leads; new LBBB; new Q wave (greater than 0.03 seconds). ECG collection post PCI: within 1 hour after PCI; pre-discharge.
2Ischemic symptoms: angina or equivalent symptoms that need to be treated medically or lasting ≧20 min. Ischemic symptoms as determined by the treating physician include but are not limited to weakness, shortness of breath, wheezing, tiredness, fainting, sweating, nausea/vomiting, abdominal pain, back pain, jaw pain, palpitations, fast heartbeat, drug use for chest pain (nitroglycerin, morphine, beta blocker, etc).

TABLE 12B
Definition of PCI-related myocardial infarction.*
Endpoint		Non-biomarker Evidence	Biomarkers post PCI
Definition	Baseline MI status	of Ischemia	(core lab CKMB1 mass)
MI	Baseline normal	Not required to qualify MI	elevation ≧3x ULN
	Stable angina/NSTE-ACS
Reinfarction	Baseline decreasing & returns	Not required to qualify MI	elevation ≧3x ULN
	to normal
	(No intervening event from
	elevated sample to PCI)
	Baseline decreasing & remains	(1 of 3):	AND: Re-elevation
	abnormal	Angiographic complications2	of CKMB ≧3x ULN
	(No intervening event from	OR	and ≧50%
	elevated sample to PCI)	Ischemic symptoms3
		OR
		New ECG changes4
	Baseline abnormal &	(2 of 2):	AND: Re-elevation
	increasing OR	Angiographic complication	of CKMB ≧3x ULN
	Baseline unknown	AND	and ≧50%
		New ECG changes
*MI denotes myocardial infarction, CKMB denotes creatine kinase-myocardial band isoenzyme, NSTE-ACS denotes non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome, ULN denotes upper limit of normal, and PCI denotes percutaneous coronary intervention.
1CKMB collection post PCI: 6 hourly collection through 24 hours (minimum of 3 samples required). Core lab values take priority; hospital labs may be used if core lab not available (CKMB priority but troponin may be used).
2Angiographic evidence of complication (assessed by the angiographic core laboratory):
New onset of vessel closure or compromise defined as TIMI 0/1 flow after baseline TIMI 2/3 flow (also termed acute closure or no reflow); or
TIMI 2 flow after baseline TIMI 3 flow (also termed slow reflow); or
Sustained distal embolization; or
Sustained side-branch closure of a vessel ≧2 mm in diameter; or
Intra-Procedural Thrombotic Event (IPTE): new or worsening thrombus formation at any time during the procedure. The occurrence of IPTE can be a stent related or not stent related complication phenomena or intra-procedural stent thrombosis (IPST) new or worsening thrombus related to the stent or abrupt closure due to thrombosis. Abrupt closure due to non-thrombotic causes, including major dissections, perforation, or other etiologies, will not be considered IPST. If a non-thrombotic cause of abrupt stent closure cannot be definitively determined, the cause will be considered IPST. IPST may present as either acute thrombotic stent closure after a stent was implanted in a patient with a patent vessel beforehand, or new thrombus formation within or adjacent to a stent in a vessel in which thrombus either was not present or had diminished or resolved before the stent was implanted.
3Ischemic symptoms: angina or equivalent symptoms that need to be treated medically or lasting ≧20 min. Ischemic symptoms as determined by the treating physician include but are not limited to weakness, shortness of breath, wheezing, tiredness, fainting, sweating, nausea/vomiting, abdominal pain, back pain, jaw pain, palpitations, fast heartbeat, drug use for chest pain (nitroglycerin, morphine, beta blocker, etc.).
4ECG changes: ST segment elevation/depression >0.1 mV (>1 mm) in at least 2 contiguous leads; new LBBB; new Q wave (greater than 0.03 seconds). ECG collection post PCI: within 1 hour after PCI; pre-discharge.

[0120] The primary safety end point was severe bleeding not related to coronary-artery bypass grafting, according to the Global Use of Strategies to Open Occluded Coronary Arteries (GUSTO) criteria, at 48 hours. Several other bleeding definitions were also applied.

[0121] On the basis of prior studies, it was assumed that the rate of the composite primary end point would be 5.1% in the clopidogrel group and 3.9% in the cangrelor group, representing a 24.5% reduction in the odds ratio with cangrelor. It was estimated that approximately 10,900 patients would need to be enrolled for the study to have 85% power to detect that reduction. A two-sided overall alpha level of 0.05 was used for all analyses. This study had an adaptive design with conditional power calculation and potential for reestimation of the sample size, if necessary, after the interim analysis that was scheduled to be performed after 70% of the patients were enrolled.

[0122] The numbers and percentages of patients within each analysis population (modified intention-to-treat, intention-to-treat, and safety) were summarized according to treatment group. The primary efficacy analysis of the rate of the composite end point of death from any cause, myocardial infarction, IDR, or stent thrombosis (with all events adjudicated by the clinical events committee) in the 48 hours after randomization was conducted in the modified intention-to-treat population. The primary safety analysis was conducted in the safety population, which comprised all patients who underwent randomization and received at least one dose of the study drug; patients were classified according to the actual treatment received. All calculations and statistical analyses were performed with the use of SAS software, version 9.2.

[0123] Of the 11,145 patients who underwent randomization, 203 did not undergo PCI or did not receive a study drug; therefore, the modified intention-to-treat population comprised 10,942 patients (FIG. 8). The baseline characteristics were well balanced between the two groups. The characteristics of the patients and the procedure are shown in Tables 13 and 14.

TABLE 13
Baseline characteristics of the patients and characteristics
of the procedure in the modified intention-to-treat
population, according to treatment group.*
	Cangrelor	Clopidogrel
Characteristic	(N = 5472)	(N = 5470)
Age - yr
Median	64.0	64.0
Interquartile range	56-72	56-72
Female sex - no. (%)	1558 (28.5)	1493 (27.3)
White race - no./total no. (%)†	5132/5469 (93.8)	5120/5463 (93.7)
Weight - kg
Median	84.0	84.0
Interquartile range	73-95	74-96
Diagnosis at presentation - no. (%)
Stable angina	3121 (57.0)	3019 (55.2)
NSTE-ACS	1389 (25.4)	1421 (26.0)
STEMI	962 (17.6)	1030 (18.8)
Region - no. (%)
United States	2048 (37.4)	2049 (37.5)
Other countries	3424 (62.6)	3421 (62.5)
Cardiac -biomarker status -
no./total no. (%)‡
Normal	3520/5467 (64.4)	3432/5466 (62.8)
Abnormal	1947/5467 (35.6)	2034/5466 (37.2)
Medical history - no./total no (%)
Diabetes mellitus	1519/5464 (27.8)	1536/5463 (28.1)
Current smoker	1504/5339 (28.2)	1549/5339 (29.0)
Hypertension	4374/5459 (80.1)	4332/5454 (79.4)
Hyperlipidemia	3363/4851 (69.3)	3338/4836 (69.0)
Prior stroke or TIA	271/5455 (5.0)	244/5452 (4.5)
Prior myocardial infarction	1092/5441 (20.1)	1175/5431 (21.6)
PTCA or PCI	1268/5462 (23.2)	1333/5461 (24.4)
CABG	578/5466 (10.6)	500/5464 (9.2)
Congestive heart failure	552/5460 (10.1)	584/5456 (10.7)
Peripheral artery disease	447/5407 (8.3)	385/5419 (7.1)
Periprocedural medications -
no./total no. (%)
Clopidogrel, 300-mg loading dose	1405/5472 (25.7)	1401/5470 (25.6)
Clopidogrel, 600-mg loading dose	4067/5472 (74.3)	4069/5470 (74.4)
Bivalirudin	1252/5472 (22.9)	1269/5468 (23.2)
Unfractionated heparin	4272/5472 (78.1)	4276/5469 (78.2)
Low-molecular-weight heparin	732/5472 (13.4)	753/5468 (13.8)
Fondaparinux	156/5471 (2.9)	135/5470 (2.5)
Aspirin	5164/5469 (94.4)	5148/5465 (94.2)
Duration of PCI - min
Median	18	17
Interquartile range	10-30	10-30
Drug-eluting stent - no. (%)	3061 (55.9)	3020 (55.2)
Bare-metal stent - no. (%)	2308 (42.2)	2344 (42.9)
Balloon angioplasty - no. (%)	292 (5.3)	273 (5.0)
*Denominators exclude patients in whom the status was reported as unknown by the study center. There were no significant differences between the two groups, except for a history of coronary-artery bypass grafting (CABG) (P = 0.01), prior myocardial infarction (P = 0.04), and peripheral-artery disease (P = 0.02). NSTE-ACS denotes non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome, PCI percutaneous coronary intervention, PTCA percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, STEMI ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, and TIA transient ischemic attack.
†Race was self-reported.
‡Cardiac biomarker status was considered to be abnormal if at least one of the baseline troponin I or T levels, obtained within 72 hours before randomization or after randomization but before initiation of the study drug, was greater than the upper limit of the normal range, as determined by the local laboratory. If the baseline troponin level was not available, the baseline MB fraction of creatine kinase was used.

TABLE 14
Additional baseline and procedural characteristics for the modified
intention-to-treat population, according to the treatment group.*
	Cangrelor	Clopidogrel
Characteristic	(N = 5472)	(N = 5470)
Age
≧65 years	2645/5472 (48.3)	2615/5470 (47.8)
≧75 years	1022/5472 (18.7)	988/5470 (18.1)
Sex, No. (%)
Male	3914/5472 (71.5)	3977/5470 (72.7)
Female	1558/5472 (28.5)	1493/5470 (27.3)
Race, No. (%)
White	5132/5469 (93.8)	5120/5463 (93.7)
Asian	171/5469 (3.1)	175/5463 (3.2)
Black	149/5469 (2.7)	146/5463 (2.7)
Other	17/5469 (0.3)	22/5463 (0.4)
Hispanic or Latino, No. (%)	193/5472 (3.5)	196/5470 (3.6)
Height, cm	172.0 (165, 178)	172.0 (165, 178)
Diabetes Type, No. (%)
IDDM	459/5464 (8.4)	404/5463 (7.4)
Non-IDDM	1020/5464 (18.7)	1108/5463 (20.3)
Unknown Type	40/5464 (0.7)	23/5463 (0.4)
Family history of CAD, No. (%)	2088/5120 (40.8)	2079/5115 (40.6)
Catheter Access Site, No. (%)
Femoral	4053/5472 (74.1)	4011/5470 (73.3)
Radial	1410/5472 (25.8)	1445/5470 (26.4)
Brachial	9/5472 (0.2)	14/5470 (0.3)
Number of vessels treated,
index PCI, No. (%)
0	49/5472 (0.9)	49/5470 (0.9)
1	4545/5472 (83.1)	4604/5470 (84.2)
2	768/5472 (14.0)	723/5470 (13.2)
3	103/5472 (1.9)	89/5470 (1.6)
4	7/5472 (0.1)	5/5470 (0.1)
*Denominators exclude patients in whom the status was reported as unknown by the site. There were no significant differences between the two groups, except for type of diabetes (p < 0.05). CAD denotes coronary artery disease; IDDM denotes insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus; and MITT denotes modified intent to treat.

[0124] The results of the analyses of the efficacy and safety end points at 48 hours after randomization are provided in Tables 15, 16, and 17.

[0125] The rate of the primary composite efficacy end point of death from any cause, myocardial infarction, IDR, or stent thrombosis at 48 hours was significantly lower in the cangrelor group than in the clopidogrel group (4.7% vs. 5.9%; odds ratio, 0.78; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.66 to 0.93; P=0.005), on the basis of the prespecified logistic-regression analysis, which adjusted for baseline status (normal vs. abnormal) and clopidogrel loading dose (600 mg vs. 300 mg) (Table 15). The result of the crude analysis was similar (odds ratio, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.67 to 0.93; P=0.006). FIG. 9A shows the Kaplan-Meier estimates of the time-to-event distributions for the primary end point. The number needed to treat with cangrelor to prevent one primary end-point event is 84 (95% CI, 49 to 285).

[0126] The rate of the key secondary efficacy end point of stent thrombosis at 48 hours was also lower in the cangrelor group than in the clopidogrel group (0.8% vs. 1.4%; odds ratio, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.43 to 0.90; P=0.01) (Table 15). FIG. 9B shows the Kaplan-Meier estimates of the time-to-event distributions for the key secondary end point.

[0127] The rate of the primary safety end point, GUSTO-defined severe bleeding, was 0.16% in the cangrelor group as compared with 0.11% in the clopidogrel group (odds ratio, 1.50; 95% CI, 0.53 to 4.22; P=0.44) (Table 15). Bleeding events according to several other bleeding definitions were also examined (Table 17). In a post hoc analysis, the primary efficacy end point and the primary safety end point were combined to provide a composite end point of the net rate of adverse clinical events, which was 4.8% in the cangrelor group as compared with 6.0% in the clopidogrel group (odds ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.68 to 0.94; P=0.008) (Table 15).

TABLE 15
Efficacy and safety end points at 48 hours after randomization.*
End Point	Cangrelor	Clopidogrel	Odds Ratio (95% CI)	P Value
number/total number (percent)
Efficacy
No. of Patients in modified intention-to-	5472	5470
treat population
Primary end point: death from any cause,	257/5470 (4.7)	322/5469 (5.9)	0.78 (0.66-0.93)	0.005
myocardial infarction, ischemia-driven
revascularization, or stent thrombosis†
Key secondary end point: stent thrombosis	46/5470 (0.8)	74/5469 (1.4)	0.62 (0.43-0.90)	0.01
Myocardial infarction	207/5470 (3.8)	255/5469 (4.7)	0.80 (0.67-0.97)	0.02
Q-wave myocardial infarction	11/5470 (0.2)	18/5469 (0.3)	0.61 (0.29-1.29)	0.19
Ischemia-driven revascularization	28/5470 (0.5)	38/5469 (0.7)	0.74 (0.45-1.20)	0.22
Death from any cause	18/5470 (0.3)	18/5469 (0.3)	1.00 (0.52-1.92)	>0.999
Death from cardiovascular causes	18/5470 (0.3)	18/5469 (0.3)	1.00 (0.52-1.92)	>0.999
Death or stent thrombosis	59/5470 (1.1)	87/5469 (1.6)	0.67 (0.48-0.94)	0.02
Death, Q-wave myocardial infarction, or	49/5470 (0.9)	64/5469 (1.2)	0.76 (0.53-1.11)	0.16
ischemia-driven revascularization
Safety: non-CABG-related bleeding
No. of patients in safety population	5529	5527
GUSTO-defined bleeding
Primary safety end point: severe	9/5529 (0.2)	6/5527 (0.1)	1.50 (0.53-4.22)	0.44
or life-threatening bleeding
Moderate bleeding	22/5529 (0.4)	13/5527 (0.2)	1.69 (0.85-3.37)	0.13
Severe or moderate bleeding	31/5529 (0.6)	19/5527 (0.3)	1.63 (0.92-2.90)	0.09
TIMI-defined bleeding
Major bleeding	5/5529 (0.1)	5/5527 (0.1)	1.00 (0.29)-3.45)	>0.999
Minor bleeding	9/5529 (0.2)	3/5527 (0.1)	3.00 (0.81-11.10)	0.08
Major or minor bleeding	14/5529 (0.3)	8/5527 (0.3)	1.75 (0.73-4.18)	0.20
Any blood transfusion	25/5529 (0.5)	16/5527 (0.3)	1.56 (0.83-2.93)	0.16
Efficacy and safety: net adverse clinical
events‡
Death, myocardial infarction, ischemia-	264/5470 (4.8)	327/5469 (6.0)	0.80 (0.68-0.94)	0.008
driven revascularization, stent thrombosis,
or GUSTO-defined severe bleeding
*GUSTO denotes Global Use of Strategies to Open Occluded Coronary Arteries, and TIMI denotes Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction.
†′The prespecified logistic-regression analysis was adjusted for baseline status (normal vs. abnormal) and clopidogrel loading dose (600 mg vs. 300 mg).
‡The primary efficacy and primary safety end points were combined to provide a composite end point of net adverse clinical events in the modified intention-to-treat population.

TABLE 16
Additional efficacy endpoints at 48 hours after randomization
for the modified intention-to-treat population.*
	Cangrelor	Clopidogrel
End Point	(N = 5472)	(N = 5470)	OR (95% CI)	P Value
Death/MI	220/5470 (4.0)	272/5469 (5.0)	0.80 (0.67, 0.96)	0.02
Death/MI/ST	249/5470 (4.6)	312/5469 (5.7)	0.79 (0.66, 0.94)	0.006
Death/MI/IDR	230/5470 (4.2)	286/5469 (5.2)	0.80 (0.67, 0.95)	0.01
Death/MI/IDR/Definite ST	230/5470 (4.2)	286/5469 (5.2)	0.80 (0.67, 0.95)	0.01
Death/MI/Definite ST	222/5470 (4.1)	276/5469 (5.0)	0.80 (0.66, 0.95)	0.01
Definite ST	12/5470 (0.2)	22/5469 (0.4)	0.54 (0.27, 1.10)	0.09
*MI denotes myocardial infarction, ST denotes stent thrombosis, and IDR denotes ischemia-driven revascularization.

TABLE 17
Additional efficacy and safety endpoints at 48 hours after randomization.*
	Intention-to-Treat (ITT)
	Cangrelor	Clopidogrel
Ischemic	(N = 5581)	(N = 5564)	OR (95% CI)	P Value
Death/MI/IDR/ST	260/5573 (4.7)	325/5561 (5.8)	0.79 (0.67, 0.93)	0.005
Stent thrombosis	46/5573 (0.8)	74/5561 (1.3)	0.62 (0.43, 0.89)	0.01
MI	207/5573 (3.7)	255/5561 (4.6)	0.80 (0.67, 0.97)	0.02
Q-wave MI	11/5573 (0.2)	18/5561 (0.3)	0.61 (0.29, 1.29)	0.19
IDR	29/5573 (0.5)	38/5561 (0.7)	0.76 (0.47, 1.23)	0.27
Death	20/5573 (0.4)	21/5561 (0.4)	0.95 (0.51, 1.75)	0.87
CV Death	20/5573 (0.4)	21/5561 (0.4)	0.95 (0.51, 1.75)	0.87
Death/ST	61/5573 (1.1)	90/5561 (1.6)	0.67 (0.49, 0.93)	0.02
Death/MI	222/5573 (4.0)	275/5561 (5.0)	0.80 (0.67, 0.96)	0.01
Death/MI/ST	251/5573 (4.5)	315/5561 (5.7)	0.79 (0.66, 0.93)	0.005
Death/MI/IDR	233/5573 (4.2)	289/5561 (5.2)	0.80 (0.67, 0.95)	0.01
Death/Q-wave MI/IDR	52/5573 (0.9)	67/5561 (1.2)	0.77 (0.54, 1.11)	0.16
Death/MI/IDR/ST/GUSTO	267/5573 (4.8)	330/5561 (5.9)	0.80 (0.68, 0.94)	0.007
Severe Bleeding
(Net Adverse Clinical
Events, NACE)
	Safety
Non-CABG Related	Cangrelor	Clopidogrel
Bleeding	(N = 5529)	(N = 5527)	OR (95% CI)	P Value
ACUITY criteria
Major bleeding	235/5529 (4.3)	139/5527 (2.5)	1.72 (1.39, 2.13)	0.001
Major without ≧5 cm	42/5529 (0.8)	26/5527 (0.5)	1.62 (0.99, 2.64)	0.05
hematoma
Minor bleeding	653/5529 (11.8)	475/5527 (8.6)	1.42 (1.26, 1.61)	<0.001
BARC criteria*
Type 3	22/5529 (0.4)	13/5527 (0.2)	1.69 (0.85, 3.37)	0.13
Type 3a	11/5529 (0.2)	4/5527 (0.1)	2.75 (0.88, 8.65)	0.07
Type 3b	9/5529 (0.2)	8/5527 (0.1)	1.12 (0.43, 2.92)	0.81
Type 3c	2/5529 (0.0)	1/5527 (0.0)	2.00 (0.18, 22.06)	0.56
*MI denotes myocardial infarction, ST denotes stent thrombosis, and IDR denotes ischemia-driven revascularization, CV denotes cardiovascular, GUSTO denotes Global Use of Strategies to Open Occluded Coronary Arteries, ACUITY denotes Acute Catheterization and Urgent Intervention Triage Strategy trial, and BARC denotes Bleeding Academic Research Consortium.

[0128] The rate of intraprocedural stent thrombosis was lower in the cangrelor group than in the clopidogrel group (0.6% vs. 1.0%; odds ratio, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.42 to 0.99; P=0.04). The use of rescue therapy with a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor was 2.3% with cangrelor as compared with 3.5% with clopidogrel (odds ratio, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.52 to 0.82; P<0.001). The rate of procedural complications was lower with cangrelor than with clopidogrel (3.4% vs. 4.5%; odds ratio, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.61 to 0.90; P=0.002).

[0129] At 30 days, the rate of the composite efficacy end point remained significantly lower in the cangrelor group than in the clopidogrel group (6.0% vs. 7.0%; odds ratio, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.73 to 0.99; P=0.03); the relative reduction in stent thrombosis also persisted (1.3% vs. 1.9%; odds ratio, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.50 to 0.92; P=0.01) (Table 18).

TABLE 18
Efficacy outcomes at 30 days after randomization
End Points	Cangrelor	Clopidogrel	Odds Ratio (95% CI)	P Value
number/total number (percent)
No. of Patients in modified intention-to-	5472	5470
treat population
Death from any cause, myocardial	326/5462 (6.0)	380/5457 (7.0)	0.85 (0.73-0.99)	0.03
infarction, ischemia-driven
revascularization, or stent thrombosis†
Stent thrombosis	71/5462 (1.3)	104/5457 (1.9)	0.68 (0.50-0.92)	0.01
Myocardial infarction	225/5462 (4.1)	272/5457 (5.0)	0.82 (0.68-0.98)	0.03
Q-wave myocardial infarction	14/5462 (0.3)	22/5457 (0.4)	0.63 (0.32-1.24)	0.18
Ischemia-driven revascularization	56/5462 (1.0)	66/5457 (1.2)	0.85 (0.59-1.21)	0.36
Death from any cause	60/5462 (1.1)	55/5457 (1.0)	1.09 (0.76-1.58)	0.64
Death from cardiovascular causes	48/5462 (0.9)	46/5457 (0.8)	1.04 (0.69-1.57)	0.84
†′The prespecified logistic-regression analysis was adjusted for baseline biomarker status (normal vs. abnormal) and clopidogrel loading dose (600-mg vs. 300-mg).

[0130] The rate of adverse events related to treatment was similar in the cangrelor and clopidogrel groups (20.2% and 19.1%, respectively; P=0.13); 0.5% of these adverse events in the cangrelor group and 0.4% of those in the clopidogrel group led to discontinuation of the study drug (P=0.21). There were significantly more cases of transient dyspnea with cangrelor than with clopidogrel (1.2% vs. 0.3%, P<0.001) (Table 19).

TABLE 19
Statistically significant treatment emergent adverse events
at 48 hours after randomization (safety population).
			Chi-	Fisher
System Organ Class	Cangrelor	Clopidogrel	square	exact
Preferred Term	(N = 5529)	(N = 5527)	P value	P value
Psychiatric disorders
Agitation	11/5529 (0.2)	3/5527 (0.1)	0.03	0.06
Gastrointestinal disorders
Diarrhea	15/5529 (0.3)	6/5527 (0.1)	0.05	0.08
General disorders
and administration
site conditions
Chest Pain	55/5529 (1.0)	93/5527 (1.7)	0.002	0.002
Respiratory, thoracic,
and mediastinal disorders
Dyspnea	64/5529 (1.2)	18/5527 (0.3)	<0.001	<0.001
Injury, poisoning, and
procedural complications
Procedural Pain	4/5529 (0.1)	12/5527 (0.2)	0.05	0.05
P values not adjusted for multiple comparisons.

[0131] The reduction in the primary efficacy end point with cangrelor was consistent across multiple subgroups, with no significant interactions with baseline variables except for status with respect to a history of peripheral-artery disease. The benefit with cangrelor was similar among patients presenting with STEMI, those presenting with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome, and those presenting with stable angina. There was no heterogeneity of treatment effect between patients in the United States and those in other countries (P=0.26) (FIG. 10).

[0132] According to the protocol, patients received a loading dose of clopidogrel or placebo after their coronary anatomy was delineated. The majority of patients received the loading dose before PCI was started (63.4%). The rest of the patients received the loading dose in the catheterization laboratory before PCI was completed (6.4%), within 1 hour after PCI was completed (30.1%), or more than 1 hour after PCI was completed (0.1%). There was no significant difference in the effect of cangrelor on the primary end point between patients who received the loading dose immediately before PCI (odds ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.64 to 0.98) and those who received it during or after PCI (odds ratio, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.59 to 1.06) (P=0.99 for interaction). Similarly, there was no significant difference in the effect of cangrelor on the primary end point between patients who received a 600-mg loading dose of clopidogrel (74.4% of the population) and those who received a 300-mg loading dose (25.6% of the population): the odds ratio for the primary end point with cangrelor was 0.77 (95% CI, 0.63 to 0.94) with the 600-mg loading dose and 0.84 (95% CI, 0.62 to 1.14) with the 300-mg loading dose (P=0.62 for interaction). The protocol required at least 2 hours of study-drug infusion; the median duration of infusion in the cangrelor group was 129 minutes (interquartile range, 120 to 146); the duration of infusion was similar in the clopidogrel group (in which patients received a placebo infusion). A subgroup analysis showed a similar effect of cangrelor among patients who received the infusion for 129 minutes or less (odds ratio, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.68 to 1.07) and those who received the infusion for more than 129 minutes (odds ratio, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.56 to 0.92) (P=0.31 for interaction) (FIG. 10).

[0133] Since the rate of the primary safety end point, GUSTO-defined severe bleeding, was very low, severe bleeding according to GUSTO criteria was combined with moderate bleeding to provide a larger number of events for an analysis of potential subgroup interactions. There were no interactions at P<0.05 (FIG. 11).

[0134] As compared with clopidogrel administered immediately before or after PCI, intravenous ADP-receptor blockade with cangrelor significantly reduced the rate of periprocedural complications of PCI, including stent thrombosis. A reduction in the rate of acute periprocedural myocardial infarction accounted for most of the benefit. The odds of an ischemic event were 22% lower with cangrelor than with clopidogrel, and this benefit was not accompanied by a significant increase in severe bleeding or in the need for transfusions. In addition, the odds of stent thrombosis were 38% lower with cangrelor than with clopidogrel. The use of cangrelor resulted in a reduction in ischemic complications across the full spectrum of patients undergoing contemporary PCI, with a consistent benefit in major subgroups.

[0135] Example 1 and Example 2 suggested a clinical benefit of cangrelor, including a significant reduction in the secondary end point of stent thrombosis. However, the rate of the primary end point was not reduced in the previous examples, probably because the definition of periprocedural myocardial infarction in those studies did not allow discrimination of reinfarction in patients presenting for PCI soon after admission with a biomarker-positive acute coronary syndrome. In the trial described in Example 3, the definition of periprocedural myocardial infarction required careful assessment of patients' baseline biomarker status. In addition, the use of an angiographic core laboratory allowed objective determination of intraprocedural complications. Table 20 lists the differences between the trials described in Example 1/Example 2 and the trial described in Example 3.

TABLE 20
Differences between the study of Example 3 and the studies of Examples 1 and 2.*†
	Examples 1 and 2	Example 3
Patient	70% Troponin (Tn) elevated at baseline	Assumed 35% Tn elevated at baseline
population	Clopidogrel maintenance (PCI only)	P2Y12 inhibitor naive
	PCI required with following:	PCI required (Stable angina, NSTE-ACS, STEMI)
	STEMI: safety only (PCI)
	NSTEMI: Tn elevated
	Unstable angina: ECG changes and
	pain and age/diabetes
	Stable angina: capped (15%)
Comparator	600 mg clopidogrel	300 mg or 600 mg (per hospital standard of care)
End point	Primary: Death/MI/IDR at 48 hr	Primary: Death/MI/IDR/ST at 48 hr
		Key Secondary: ST at 48 hr
Myocardial	Not UDMI: reliance on cardiac	UDMI implemented: reliance on cardiac markers
infarction	markers alone to define PCI MI	and other evidence of ischemia to define PCI MI
definition	1 baseline sample	2 baseline samples at least 6 hours apart
	Biomarker normal at baseline: MI	required in NSTE-ACS patients to confirm
	defined as CKMB ≧3x ULN post	resolving MI at baseline
	PCI	Baseline normal patients: MI defined as
	Biomarker elevated at baseline:	CKMB ≧3x ULN post PCI
	elevation in CKMB ≧3x ULN and	Baseline abnormal patients were classified
	50% increase from baseline	into MI increasing or decreasing at baseline:
	sample or ECG changes	Increasing: re-elevation in CKMB post
	PCI (≧3xULN and 50% increase from
	baseline) + additional evidence of
	ischemia (2 of 2): ECG changes AND
	angiographic evidence
	Decreasing: re-elevation in CKMB post
	PCI (≧3xULN and 50% increase from
	baseline) + additional evidence of
	ischemia (1 of 3): ischemic symptoms,
	ECG changes or angiographic evidence
Stent	Non-standard definition in IDR patients	ARC definition in patients
thrombosis	but confirmed by CEC using angiographic	IPST (Intra-procedural stent thrombosis) = any
definition	source data	procedural new or worsened thrombus related to the
		stent based on angiographic evidence
Statistics	Event rate placebo: 7.7%;	Assumed Event rate placebo: 5.1%;
	Effect size: 22.5-25%	Assumed Effect size: 24.5%
*PCI denotes percutaneous coronary intervention, STEMI denotes ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, NSTEMI denotes non-ST-elevated myocardial infarction, ECG denotes denotes electrocardiography, NSTE-ACS denotes non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome, MI denotes myocardial infarction, IDR denotes ischemia-driven revascularization, ST denotes stent thrombosis, UDMI denotes universal definition of myocardial infarction, CKMB denotes creatine kinase-myocardial band isoenzyme, and ULN denotes upper limit of normal.
†Bhatt D L, et al. N Engl J Med 2009; 361 2330-41.
Harrington R A, et al. N Engl J Med 2009; 361 2318-29
White H D, Am Heart J 2012; 163: 182-190.e4
Thygesen, J Am Coll Cardiol 2007; 50: 2173-95.

[0136] A comparison of the effects of combining cangrelor and clopidogrel with bivalirudin or heparin was performed on a subset of patients from the study described in Example 3. The patients involved in the comparison received a combination of cangrelor and bivalirudin (n=1,020), clopidogrel and bivalirudin (n=1,055), cangrelor and heparin (n=4,509), or clopidogrel and heparin (n=4,471).

[0137] The following endpoints were assessed:

• • [0138] Composite endpoint of death, myocardial infarction, ischemia-driven revascularization, and stent thrombosis;
  • [0139] Stent thrombosis;
  • [0140] Large myocardial infarction (5× the upper limit of normal creatine kinase-myocardial band isoenzyme (CKMB));
  • [0141] GPIIb/IIIa use;
  • [0142] Major bleeding (defined by the ACUITY bleeding scale); and
  • [0143] Transfusions

[0144] Administration of a combination of cangrelor and bivalirudin, as compared to a combination of clopidogrel and bivalirudin, resulted in lower incidence and reduced relative risk for the composite ischemic endpoint of death, myocardial infarction, ischemia-driven revascularization, and stent thrombosis; stent thrombosis; and large myocardial infarctions (see Table 21). Further, the combination of cangrelor and bivalirudin also resulted in a lower incidence (1.4% vs. 3.1%) and reduced relative risk (55%) for the use of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa as compared to the combination of clopidogrel and bivalirudin.

TABLE 21
Comparison of the Combination of Cangrelor and Bivalirudin,
and the Combination of Clopidogrel and Bivalirudin
	Incidence of	Incidence of		Relative
	Cangrelor +	Clopidogrel +		Risk
Event	Bivalirudin	Bivalirudin	Relative Risk	Reduction	p-value
Death, MI,	4.7%	6.7%	0.68 (0.47, 0.99)	31%	0.055
IDR, ST
ST	0.7%	1.4%	0.48 (0.20, 1.17)	52%	0.100
Large MI	0.9%	2.4%	0.37 (0.17, 0.79)	63%	0.007
(CKMB 5x)
MI denotes myocardial infarction. IDR denotes ischemia-driven revascularization. ST denotes stent thrombosis.

[0145] Patients administered with the combination of cangrelor and bivalirudin, as compared to the combination of cangrelor and other anticoagulants (i.e., heparin, etc.), experienced a lower incidence and reduced relative risk for major bleeding based on the ACUITY bleeding scale and transfusions (see Table 22), as well as a lower incidence of moderate or severe bleeding based on the GUSTO scale.

TABLE 22
Comparison of the Combination of Cangrelor and Bivalirudin,
and the Combination of Cangrelor and Other Anticoagulants
	Incidence of	Incidence of	Relative
	Cangrelor +	Cangrelor +	Risk
Event	Bivalirudin	Heparin	Reduction	p-value
Major bleeding	2.1%	4.7%	58%	<0.001
(ACUITY scale)
Transfusions	0.3%	0.5%	40%	0.405

[0146] In addition, administration of the combination of cangrelor and bivalirudin resulted in a lower incidence of adverse clinical events of death, myocardial infarction, ischemia-driven revascularization, stent thrombosis, and bleeding, as compared to the combinations of cangrelor and heparin, clopidogrel and heparin, and clopidogrel and bivalirudin (see FIG. 12).

[0147] These results indicate that administration of the combination of cangrelor and bivalirudin, as compared to the other combinations, resulted in a lower incidence of acute procedural complications, peri-procedural thrombotic events, early stent thrombosis, and major bleeding events in patients undergoing PCI.

[0148] The physical compatibility of cangrelor injection with bivalirudin during simulated Y-site co-administration was evaluated by visual observation, electronic turbidity measurement, and particulate content assessment.

[0149] Cangrelor for injection was supplied in 50 mg lyophilized single-use vials (The Medicines Company, Parsippany, N.J.). Each vial was reconstituted with 5 mL of sterile water for injection to yield a 10 mg/mL solution. The 5 mL contents of each vial was removed using a syringe and needle and transferred to a 50 mL bag of 0.9% sodium chloride injection, USP (B. Braun, Bethlehem, Pa.) yielding a diluted concentration of 1 mg/mL. Bivalirudin was prepared separately in 0.9% sodium chloride injection or 5% dextrose injection (Baxter Healthcare, Deerfield, Ill.) to a final concentration of 5 mg/mL.

[0150] 5 mL samples of the cangrelor 1 mg/mL diluted solution were separately combined with 5 mL samples of the bivalirudin dilutions in colorless 15-mL borosilicate glass screw-cap culture tubes (Kimble, Division of Owens-Illinois, Toledo, Ohio) with polypropylene caps (Kimble, Division of Owens-Illinois) as described in Trissel L. A. et al., Am J Hosp Pharm 50:2359-63 (1993). Each of the sample solutions was passed through a 0.22-μm filter (Millex-GV, Millipore Products, Bedford, Mass.) as it was introduced into the tube. Each combination was prepared in duplicate, reversing the order of drug addition between the two samples.

[0151] As controls, cangrelor 1 mg/mL in 0.9% sodium chloride injection and the bivalirudin solutions were each diluted with an equal volume of 0.9% sodium chloride injection and separately with 5% dextrose injection to a concentration of 0.5 mg/mL to simulate test sample preparations.

[0152] Incompatibility in the cangrelor-bivalirudin combinations was defined as any visible particulate matter, substantial haze or turbidity change from that in the controls, or a color change, microprecipitate formation, or gas evolution. All samples were examined visually with the unaided eye in normal laboratory fluorescent light. Combinations with no obvious visible incompatibility were examined further using a Tyndall beam (high-intensity monodirectional light source, Dolan-Jenner Industries, Woburn, Mass.) as described in Trissel L. A. et al., Am J Hosp Pharm 50:2359-63 (1993). Inspections were performed over the first 15 minutes after sample preparation and at intervals of one and four hours after sample preparation. The samples were stored at room temperature (approximately 23° C.).

[0153] The samples were also assessed immediately after preparation and at one and four hours after preparation using a color-correcting turbidimeter (Model 2100AN, Hach Company, Loveland, Colo.) as previously described in Trissel L. A. et al., Am J Hosp Pharm 49:1716-9 (1992); Trissel L. A. et al., Am J Hosp Pharm 50:300-4 (1993). Triplicate determinations were made on each of the samples. The particle content of the samples was quantified after four hours using a light obscuration particle sizer/counter (Model 9703, Hiac-Royco, Division of Pacific Scientific Company, Grants Pass, Oreg.) to determine particle content in the size range of 2.04 to 112 μm (the validated detection limits of the particle sizer/counter) to verify the absence of unacceptable amounts of microparticulates. Triplicate determinations were again made using the light obscuration particle sizer/counter on these samples for particulate determinations. Physical instability was defined as visible particulate matter, haze, color change or a change (increase or decrease) in measured turbidity change of 0.5 nephelometric turbidity unit or more (Trissel L. A. et al., Am J Hosp Pharm 50:2359-63 (1993); Trissel L. A. et al., Am J Hosp Pharm 49:1716-9 (1992); Trissel L. A. et al., Am J Hosp Pharm 50:300-4 (1993)).

[0154] Cangrelor 1 mg/mL in 0.9% sodium chloride injection, USP, visually appeared in normal room light and when viewed using a Tyndall beam as a clear, colorless free-flowing liquid. The initial 1 mg/mL dilution was essentially without turbidity having a very low measured turbidity near 0.13 nephelometric turbidity units (NTU). When diluted to 0.5 mg/mL with an equal amount of 0.9% sodium chloride injection, USP, or 5% dextrose injection, USP, in a manner identical to mixing with each of the secondary test drugs, the measured turbidity level remained near 0.13 NTU.

[0155] The cangrelor dilution in sodium chloride 0.9% was found to be physically compatible with bivalirudin. The combinations exhibited no observable changes, such as visible precipitation or turbidity formation, microparticulate formation or increased measured haze, and they appeared visually to be very similar in clarity to the cangrelor solution diluted with an equal quantity of a simple aqueous solution as well as exhibiting similar measured turbidities.

[0156] Having thus described in detail embodiments of the present invention, it is to be understood that the invention defined by the above paragraphs is not to be limited to particular details set forth in the above description as many apparent variations thereof are possible without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.