Novartis gains European Commission approval for Rasitrio®

Novartis announced today that Rasitrio®, the first triple combination of aliskiren, amlodipine and hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) in a single pill,[1] has received approval from the European Commission (EC) for the treatment of high blood pressure.

“For the first time, high blood pressure patients in Europe with complex needs will have access to a single pill combining the unique properties of Rasilez with two well-established and effective high blood pressure treatments,” said David Epstein, Division Head of Novartis Pharmaceuticals. “Rasitrio is the first Rasilez-based triple combination pill available in Europe to help patients requiring multiple medications reach their treatment goal.”

Rasitrio combines the first and only approved direct renin inhibitor (DRI) worldwide, Rasilez, with the widely used calcium channel blocker amlodipine and the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide4. Rasilez is an important component of the treatment as it targets renin for optimal control of the RAAS (renin angiotensin aldosterone system) 5, which is a key regulator of high blood pressure. Rasitrio has been approved as substitution therapy for patients with high blood pressure that are adequately controlled by the combination of the three components at the same dose.

The approval of Rasitrio is based on pivotal phase III data involving more than 1,181 high blood pressure patients. The study showed that Rasitrio produced statistically significant blood pressure reductions compared to dual combinations of each of its individual components, including aliskiren/amlodipine 300 mg/10 mg, aliskiren/HCTZ 300 mg/25 mg and amlodipine/HCTZ 10 mg/25 mg1. The effect of Rasitrio was observed as early as one week after initiation of therapy and was maintained over the entire 24-hour dose interval1.

Up to 85 percent of high blood pressure patients may need several medications to help them reach their goal2,3. However, the management of multiple drugs can lead to compliance concerns, a major challenge for primary care physicians6.

“Simplification of treatment for high blood pressure patients on three or more therapies is key to improving patient compliance and outcomes,” said Professor Josep Redon, M.D., Hospital Clinico, University of Valencia, Spain. “This innovative triple combination therapy, which has demonstrated significant reductions in blood pressure during clinical trials, offers patients a new and convenient treatment option.”

The single pill combination Rasitrio works to lower blood pressure in three ways. The Rasilez component directly binds to and inhibits renin, an enzyme produced by the kidneys that starts a process that can make blood vessels narrow and lead to high blood pressure5. The calcium channel blocker amlodipine lowers blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessel walls, and the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide increases the excretion of sodium chloride and water. All three complementary medicines enable blood to flow more easily, therefore lowering blood pressure.

It is estimated that about one billion people globally have high blood pressure7,8, with many remaining uncontrolled despite treatment9. High blood pressure alone can cause damage to the vital organs of the body, including the heart, brain and kidneys8. It is also linked with other conditions such as diabetes, where high blood pressure is estimated to cause up to 75% of diabetic cardiovascular complications10. However, if high blood pressure is properly controlled, the incidence of stroke and heart failure can be reduced by almost half and heart attacks by one quarter8.

About Tekturna/Rasilez

Tekturna/Rasilez is approved in over 80 countries. Aliskiren was approved in the US and in the European Union in 2007 under the trade name of Tekturna and Rasilez respectively. Rasilez received approval in Canada in 2008, Japan in 2009 and China in March 2010. Tekturna HCT®, a single pill combination of aliskiren and hydrochlorothiazide (HCT), was approved in the US in 2008 for second-line treatment of high blood pressure, and in 2009 for first-line treatment of high blood pressure. This single pill combination was approved for add-on and replacement therapy in the European Union in 2009 under the tradename Rasilez HCT®. In 2009, Valturna®, a single pill combination of aliskiren and valsartan (Diovan®), was approved in the US. Tekamlo®, the single pill combination of aliskiren and amlodipine was approved in the US in August 2010 and in the European Union under the trade name Rasilamlo® in April 2011. Amturnide®, the triple combination of aliskiren, amlodipine and hydrochlorothiazide (HCT), was approved in the US in December 2010.

Novartis has a strong cardiovascular and metabolic portfolio, focusing on innovative treatments for high blood pressure and diabetes. These include Diovan® (valsartan), the number one selling branded blood pressure medication worldwide11, Co-Diovan (valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide), a single-pill combination of valsartan with the most widely prescribed diuretic. Exforge® (valsartan/amlodipine), a single-pill combining two leading medicines for high blood pressure; Exforge HCT® (amlodipine/valsartan/HCT); and Rasilez® (aliskiren), the first and only approved direct renin inhibitor, and four single-pill combinations of Rasilez®, Tekamlo®/Rasilamlo® (aliskiren/amlodipine), Amturnide (aliskiren/amlodipine/HCT), Tekturna HCT®/Rasilez HCT® (aliskiren/HCT) and Valturna® (aliskiren/valsartan). For the treatment of type 2 diabetes, these include Galvus® (vildagliptin, a DPP-4 inhibitor) and Eucreas® (vildagliptin and metformin).

References

1. Data on file. Novartis 2011 (Study SAH2302).
2. Dahlof B, et al. Cardiovascular Morbidity and Mortality in the Losartan Intervention for Endpoint Reduction in Hypertension Study (LIFE): a Randomised Trial Against Atenolol. Lancet 2002;359:995–1003.
3. Pepine CJ, et al. A Calcium Antagonist vs. a Non-Calcium Antagonist Hypertension Treatment Strategy for Patients with Coronary Artery Disease. The International Verapamil-Trandolapril Study (INVEST): a Randomized Controlled Trial. JAMA 2003;290:2805-2816.
4. Rasitrio Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) for European Union.
5. Rasilez Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) for European Union.
6. Burnier M, et al. Medication adherence and persistence as the cornerstone of effective antihypertensive therapy. Am J Hypertens 2006; 19:1190-6.
7. Kearney P, et al. Global Burden of Hypertension: Analysis of Worldwide Data. Lancet 2005;365:217-23.
8. Chobanian AV, et al. Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure. Hypertension 2003;42:1206-1251.
9. Lloyd-Jones D, et al. for the American Heart Association Statistics Committee and Stroke Statistics Subcommittee. Heart disease and stroke statistics—2010 update. A report from the American Heart Association Statistics Committee and Stroke Statistics Subcommittee. Circulation. 2010;121;e46-e215.
10. El-Atat F, et al. Diabetes, Hypertension, and Cardiovascular Derangements: Pathophysiology and Management. Curr Hypertens Rep 2004;6:215-23.
11. IMS Midas Worldwide Sales Data 2010.