Myogen’s blood pressure drug performs well in tests

Results of the trial demonstrated that 300mg of darusentan dosed once daily provided statistically significant, placebo-corrected reductions in systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. Clinically meaningful reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure were also observed at earlier time points at lower doses.

Trial results demonstrated darusentan was generally well tolerated suggesting a favorable safety profile. Based on these results, the company plans to move forward with phase III clinical development of darusentan for the treatment of resistant hypertension.

“There are millions of hypertensive patients in the US currently being treated with three or more antihypertensive therapies,” commented J. William Freytag, president and CEO of Myogen.

“A significant percentage of these patients are not at goal blood pressures and are at increased risk of cardiovascular events. As an endothelin receptor antagonist, darusentan affects blood pressure through a mechanism of action different than those of currently approved antihypertensive drugs. The results of this trial indicate darusentan could provide additional blood pressure lowering benefit in this patient population.”