New data could lead doctors to use Johnson & Johnson and Bayer's blood thinner Xarelto to prevent heart attacks in some patients, leading to a significant sales boost. In a note to investors earlier this month, Credit Suisse analyst Divan Vamil predicted that a successful result could increase sales of the drug by $1.5 billion in the U.S. alone. Well, the results are a success, although they come with the same trade-off as any use of a blood thinner: more bleeding. The fact that Xarelto reduced the risk of overall deaths, not just heart attacks or strokes, should convince many doctors to use it. These are caused by artery disease, much like heart attacks and strokes.

Source: Forbes August 27, 2017 12:00 UTC