FDA declines to approve Brilinta

WILMINGTON, Del. — The Food and Drug Administration has turned down AstraZeneca’s regulatory approval application for a drug to treat heart disease, the drug maker said.

The agency sent AstraZeneca a complete response letter requesting additional analyses of data from a clinical study of Brilinta (ticagrelor), but did not request additional studies. The drug is designed to treat acute coronary syndromes.

A complete response letter means that the FDA has completed its review of a drug application, but issues remain that preclude final approval.