Pozen (Nasdaq: POZN) may be on its way to eventually winning FDA approval for a proposed new aspirin therapy.

The Chapel Hill-based drug firm reported Tuesday positive results in two Phase 3 clinical trials for its PA32540 at an American Heart Association meeting.

Both trials met the primary endpoint, which was patients taking the compound experienced fewer gastric ulcers compared to other aspirin.

PA32540 is a 325 milligram dose of aspirin produced through its proprietary PA platform, which is designed to lessen side effects of taking aspirin alone. 

“The results of these Phase 3 pivotal studies are promising and report the important role that PA32540 may play in the long-term management of cardiovascular protection,” said Chris O’Connor, director, of the Duke Heart Center and Duke University Hospital who was one of the authors of the studies. “Discontinuation of aspirin therapy is often due to the adverse GI effects of aspirin. In these pivotal studies, PA32540 was associated with a significantly lower rate of treatment discontinuation than aspirin alone. Patient adherence to aspirin therapy saves lives, as aspirin discontinuation increases the likelihood of potential adverse cardiovascular events.”

Pozen also has another compound, PA8140, under development which contains 81 milligrams of aspirin. 

Both are intended for daily use among patients seeking to prevent cardiovascular disease and are at risk of developing aspirin-induced ulcers.