AstraZeneca PLC's (LON:AZN) Brilinta has been approved in the US for patients that have suffered acute ischemic and high-risk transient ischaemic strokes.
The US Food & Drug Administration green light followed a successful phase III study of the drug, also known as ticagrelor, in combination with aspirin.
In a statement, the lead investigator of the study, Dr Clay Johnston, said: "One in four patients who have had a stroke will experience a second one, with the risk particularly high within the first 30 days.
“The approval of Brilinta in combination with aspirin is an important advancement to reduce the risk of recurrent stroke and much-awaited good news for physicians and patients."