Pharmaprojects R&D Pipeline News Feed
Relieving the pressure - novel antihypertensive receives first approval
8th Mar 2007
The first new type of drug for the treatment of high blood pressure in over a decade has received its first approval in the US. Unlike all other currently marketed products, Tekturna (aliskiren) acts by direct inhibition of renin, an enzyme which cleaves angiotensinogen to produce angiotensin, which itself eventually constricts blood vessels.
Tekturna, which was developed by Novartis in collaboration with Speedel Pharma, underwent clinical trials in more than 6,400 hypertensive patients, and gave significant reductions in blood pressure for 24 hours. Tekturna also provided additional benefit when administered in combination with common hypertension medications. Novartis has stated that it is committed to conducting a large outcome trial with Tekturna to evaluate the long-term effects of direct renin inhibition.
With US launch scheduled for this month (March 2007), and with EU approval (as Rasilez) currently under review, Tekturna looks set to be an important new weapon in the battle to provide relief to the nearly 1 billion people worldwide who suffer from high blood pressure.
