Correvio Pharma Corp., formerly Cardiome Pharma Corp., announced that its partner Eddingpharm has enrolled the first patient in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 clinical study evaluating Brinavess versus placebo in patients with recent onset atrial fibrillation (AF).  Approximately 240 patients are expected to be enrolled at an estimated 30 clinical trial sites in China.

Patients will be randomized 1:1 to receive either Brinavess intravenously or placebo. The primary objective of the study is to demonstrate the effectiveness of Brinavess in the conversion of recent onset AF to sinus rhythm, compared to placebo. Secondary objectives include assessment of the safety and tolerability of Brinavess, time to conversion of AF to sinus rhythm and pharmacokinetics, among others.

"Enrollment of the first patient in a phase 3 clinical trial in China is an important milestone for the global Brinavess program and underscores our commitment to expanding the geographic footprint for Correvio's in-hospital acute care products in new territories worldwide," said Kiran Bhirangi, M.D., vice president, clinical development and medical affairs of Correvio. "We look forward to working with Eddingpharm to complete this clinical study as rapidly as possible to obtain the requisite data to advance Brinavess toward approval in this key territory and into the hands of the physicians and patients who need it."

Atrial Fibrillation (also known as AFib or AF) is a supraventricular tachyarrhythmia with uncoordinated atrial activation resulting in ineffective atrial contraction and if left untreated, structural and/or electrophysiological atrial tissue abnormalities. AF is a common cardiac rhythm disturbance that increases in prevalence with advancing age.1 According to the American Heart Association, estimates of the prevalence of AF in the US ranged from 2.7 million to 6.1 million in 2010, and is expected to rise to between 5.6 million to 12 million in 2030.

Brinavess (vernakalant HCl, IV) is an antiarrhythmic drug that acts preferentially in the atria by prolonging atrial refractoriness and slowing impulse conduction in a rate-dependent fashion. Brinavess is approved for marketing in Europe, Canada and several other countries worldwide. In Europe, it is approved for the rapid conversion of recent onset atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm in adults: 1) for non-surgery patients: atrial fibrillation < 7 days duration; and 2) for post-cardiac surgery patients: atrial fibrillation < 3 days duration. Vernakalant IV is not approved for use in the United States.

Correvio Pharma Corp. is a revenue-generating, specialty pharmaceutical company focused on providing innovative, high-quality brands that meet the needs of acute care physicians and patients.