Novartis says Tekturna works in obese patients

Novartis AG’s high blood-pressure drug Tekturna was effective in hard-to-treat patients with obesity, heart failure and diabetes, the Swiss company said on Wednesday.

Tekturna, known as Rasilez in Europe, reduced blood pressure significantly in obese patients when compared with the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide alone, Novartis said in a statement.

The data, presented at the European Society of Cardiology meeting in Munich, also showed Tekturna reduced heart failure severity when added to standard therapy, in patients with or without diabetes.

Novartis said 70 percent of patients with High Blood Pressure are overweight or obese and have an increased risk of cardiovascular and kidney disease.

Tekturna, seen as a potential blockbuster and also known as aliskiren, is approved for use in the United States and Europe.

MUNICH (Reuters)