Protherics enrolls first patient in hypertension study

UK-based biopharmaceutical company Protherics has enrolled the first patient in a Phase IIa study of its angiotensin therapeutic vaccine for the treatment of hypertension.

The double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical study in 124 patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension will take place in the UK. Subjects will be given a course of injections over six weeks to assess the safety and tolerability of the ATV, incorporating the CoVaccine HT adjuvant.

Andrew Heath, chief executive at Protherics, said: "a vaccine approach to the treatment of high blood pressure promises to address the issue of poor patient compliance with daily medication and thus reduce the incidence of stroke and heart attacks. With data expected within a year, this could be a major outlicensing opportunity."