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news.Novartis' investigational hypertension drugs Rasilez and Exforge have been shown to be effective in lowering blood pressure in tests, according to data revealed by the company at the American Society of Hypertension annual meeting in New York.
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The new data show Rasilez provides significant blood pressure reductions, sustained over 24 hours.
Meanwhile, new data on Exforge show that its dual mechanism of action lowered systolic blood pressure up to 43mm Hg in patients with stage 2 high blood pressure. The majority of patients treated with Exforge reached their blood pressure goal.
Both Rasilez and Exforge are currently under regulatory review in the United States. If approved, Rasilez, developed with Speedel, would be the first effective oral direct renin inhibitor. It acts within the renin system, which is central to blood pressure regulation.
Exforge utilizes two complementary mechanisms of action, calcium channel blockade with amlodipine and angiotensin receptor blockade with valsartan, both agents being the number one prescribed medications in their respective classes.
“High blood pressure – and its consequences – is the world's number one killer, estimated to affect nearly one billion people. The overwhelming numbers of patients who remain uncontrolled despite treatment speaks to the urgent need for more therapeutic options,” said Dr James Shannon, head of development, Novartis Pharma.