With a Phase II study stopped for efficacy in bleeding reduction, Anthos hopes to bring abelacimab, a dual Factor XI/XIa inhibitor to market to prevent strokes in a-fib patients and to treat cancer patients with thrombosis.

Bristol and Janssen reported Phase II data at the ESC Congress in secondary stroke prevention, an indication not covered by Factor Xa inhibitors. BMS unveiled a three-indication Phase III program.

CEO John Glasspool spoke with Scrip about why Anthos believes it has a good shot against big competitors in a market that is expected to generate blockbuster sales across multiple products.

The potential for RNA medicines to achieve holy grail goals – reaching undruggable targets and bringing drugs to market faster – has Pfizer, Lilly, Novartis and others in a deal-making frame of mind.