Arixtra (Fondaparinux Sodium)

The synthetic pentasaccharide Arixtra or Fondaparinux is an indirect anti-Xa that effectively inhibits thrombin generation via its binding to anti-thrombin, the co-factor for Xa. A well-executed and designed clinical development of Fondaparinux in venous thrombosis prophylaxis demonstrated success of this agent and thus its FDA approval. Further studies are in progress in order to expand the use of this anticoagulant in various thromboembolic disorders. This represents a new challenges for the marketing of this agent vs low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) or yet to come oral direct anti-Xa or direct anti-IIa with regard to pharmacoeconomics.