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news.Novartis has presented new clinical data which showed that the first-in-class direct renin inhibitor Rasilez, known as Tekturna in the US, provides significantly greater blood pressure reductions in patients with high blood pressure aged 65 and over, compared to the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor ramipril.
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Results from the Ageless study showed that Rasilez/Tekturna provides an additional reduction in systolic blood pressure of 2.3mmHg in patients aged 65 and over compared to the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor ramipril after the primary endpoint of 12 weeks of treatment.
The Ageless study conducted in 900 patients with systolic hypertension aged 65 and over showed that Rasilez/Tekturna (150mg daily increased to 300mg daily) lowered systolic blood pressure by 13.6mmHg compared to a reduction of 11.3mmHg in patients taking ramipril (5mg daily increased to 10mg daily) after 12 weeks of treatment (p< 0.0001). A greater reduction of diastolic blood pressure (pressure between heart beats) was also achieved after 12 weeks of treatment with Rasilez/Tekturna compared to ramipril (p< 0.0001). In the study, Rasilez was well tolerated, the company said. Trevor Mundel, head of global development functions at Novartis Pharma, said: "Ageless is the third study to show that Rasilez lowers blood pressure more effectively than the ACE inhibitor ramipril. Rasilez provides effective blood pressure lowering that lasts beyond 24 hours in a range of patients. Through the Aspire Higher program we hope to further demonstrate significant blood pressure lowering in special populations as well as examine the organ protection potential of Rasilez."