As an oral, direct coagulation factor Xa inhibitor developed by BMS and Pfizer, Eliquis (apixaban) was first approved for marketing in May 2011 in the EU and mainly used for the prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism in patients who have undergone hip or knee replacement. From the perspective of function characteristic, Eliquis is highly selective for coagulation factor Xa, with the binding reversible, and can produce the antithrombotic effect without antithrombin III; and no dose adjustment of Eliquis is required in patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment owing to its diverse metabolic pathways in bodies. In terms of thromboembolism prevention, the clinical effects of Eliquis are significantly superior to those of enoxaparin and aspirin, and Eliquis has higher safety. Thanks to the huge market demands for anticoagulant, Eliquis reached sales of nearly USD10 billion in 2018, ranking top of sales of the small molecule and macromolecular drugs.
