LONDON (AP) -- AstraZeneca PLC said Thursday it has applied to U.S. regulators to market its blood clot preventer Brilinta, a potential new big seller for the company.

AstraZeneca submitted a new drug application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for Brilinta, also known as ticagrelor.

Analysts have forecast that Brilinta could reap billions of dollars each year for AstraZeneca, which has already applied to European regulators for permission to sell the drug.

AstraZeneca sponsored research revealed in August that the use of Brilinta reduced patients' chances of dying by 20 percent, compared with Plavix, the world's No. 2 selling medication made by Sanofi-Aventis and Bristol-Myers Squibb.

Those on Brilinta had a 4.5 percent chance of dying, versus a 5.9 percent death risk for patients on Plavix.

Doctors also found Brilinta was safer for patients since they were less likely to have bleeding problems, one of Plavix's known side effects. Ticagrelor had its own adverse effects, including breathing and heart rhythm abnormalities.

AstraZeneca's shares were up 0.6 percent at 2,724.5 pence ($45.33) in midmorning trade.