Teturna cuts level of proteinuria in diabetics

Swiss drug firm Speedel says that data from a Phase III trial of Tekturna (aliskiren, known as Rasilez in Europe) show that it cuts the level of proteinuria when used in the treatment of diabetic subjects. Specifically, the results showed that patients who received the drug, in addition to 100mg of losartan, achieved an average 20% reduction in urinary albumin creatine ratio from baseline.

Tekturna, which was developed by Speedel through to the end of Phase II, before being returned it to originator Swiss drug major Novartis in 2002, received approval on both sides of the Atlantic for the treatment of hypertension earlier this year (Marketletters passim).