Feb. 3, 2026 — Bristol Myers Squibb has launched "Change the Target. Change What’s Possible," an educational campaign developed in partnership with Johnson & Johnson for clinicians who manage cardiovascular and thromboembolic conditions. The program spotlights the unmet need in cardiovascular care for patients who, despite currently available therapies, remain at high risk of thromboembolic events, underscoring the need for new innovations to help address one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. The unmet need is significant — 40% of patients with atrial fibrillation are untreated or undertreated, and roughly 25% of strokes are recurrent, many of which are considered preventable — with potential bleeding risks contributing to gaps in protection.
“With heart disease and stroke among the leading causes of death and disability worldwide, it is imperative to continue research in preventing these events,” said Clay Johnston, MD, PhD, MPH, co-founder, chief medical officer, Harbor Health in Austin, Texas. “Patients at risk for stroke and other thromboembolic events really need drugs that reduce the risk of dangerous clots without increasing their bleeding risk, and targeting factor XIa may open this possibility.”
Therapy for thromboembolic diseases has evolved, enabling selective targeting within the coagulation cascade. However, inhibition of coagulation factors within the common pathway can compromise healthy clotting. There remains a need to improve the prevention of thrombosis while preserving the body’s ability to form good clots that help reduce bleeding complications while on an anticoagulant or an antiplatelet agent.
"Despite advances in cardiovascular care, some patients with thromboembolic disease remain at high risk because current therapies may require difficult trade-offs between efficacy and bleeding,” said Tania Small, MD, senior vice president and head of Medical Affairs, Bristol Myers Squibb. “A better understanding of the coagulation cascade has led to the identification of new targets, such as factor XIa, informing how we approach the research of thrombosis prevention while preserving healthy clotting.”
For more information about “Change the Target. Change What’s Possible.” and to learn more about factor XIa inhibition, visit www.factorxi.com.
February 12, 2026 
