Novartis' Tekturna HCT cleared by FDA

Swiss drug major Novartis says that its blood pressure treatment Tekturna HCT (aliskiren and hydrochlorothiazide) has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. The drug combines the firm's product Tekturna, known as Rasilez outside the USA, with a diuretic and is indicated for patients suffering from hypertension.

Tekturna, which was in-licensed by Novartis from fellow Swiss firm Speedel in 2002 (Marketletter passim), works by reducing the activity of the renin system, thereby increasing vasodilation and lowering blood pressure. In contrast, HCT, like other diuretics, removes excess water and salt from the circulatory system, which also results in a drop in BP.

Novartis said that, in trials, Tekturna HCT had brought about a greater reduction in blood pressure than either of its two components alone. In addition, the drug was shown to provide consistently lower pressure for a 24-hour period which, according to Novartis, contrasts with many currently-available medications that fail to work around the clock.