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news.NovaCardia's investigational drug KW-3902, in development for the treatment of congestive heart failure, has posted encouraging data in two phase II trials - according to data presented by the company at the Heart Failure Congress in Finland.
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The first study, placebo-controlled dose- ranging study, examined 146 acutely decompensated heart failure (ADHF) patients with kidney dysfunction. The preliminary data suggest KW-3902 has significant diuretic activity over a six hour period after the beginning of administration.
The study data also suggest that, when given with furosemide, KW-3902 may allow for preservation of kidney function and earlier discontinuation of intravenous diuretic therapy.
“Since deterioration of renal function occurs frequently in CHF (congestive heart failure) patients and is predictive of increased mortality and length of hospital stay, these findings suggest KW-3902 could be an important addition to the treatment of acutely decompensated heart failure patients,” commented Dr Howard Dittrich, chief medical officer of NovaCardia.
Results from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled dose escalation exploratory study was also presented at the conference. The study examined 34 patients refractory to diuretics. KW- 3902 resulted in increased hourly urine volume, with relatively preserved kidney function, over a nine hour period compared to placebo.
According to the company, these findings suggest that KW-3902 may prove beneficial in facilitating diuresis in patients refractory to conventional pharmacological therapy while simultaneously protecting kidney function.