The drug is one of two that Takeda has in development as potential successors to its blockbuster hypertension drug Blopress. The other drug vying to take over from Blopress is TAK-536, also in phase II development.
TAK-491, an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), is expected to show stronger anti-hypertensive action compared to existing ARBs on the market.
In the anti-hypertensive market, the ARB class is now recognized as a mainstream treatment option. According to Takeda, TAK-491, if successfully developed and launched, has the potential to become the most effective member of this important class of drugs, and is expected to support the expansion of the company’s US Actos franchise into lifestyle-related diseases.