By Neil MacLucas
ZURICH--Novartis AG (NVS) said Monday it had closed a study of
its twice-a-day LCZ696 pill early after the drug demonstrated
efficacy in treating patients with chronic heart failure.
Basel-based Novartis said it had closed the trial early on the
recommendation of the Data Monitoring Committee after two earlier
tests had demonstrated the safety profile of the heart failure pill
was acceptable.
"We recognize the huge global need for treatments that extend
and improve the lives of people with heart failure," said Tim
Wright, who heads development at Novartis Pharmaceuticals. "We
believe LCZ696's unique mechanism of action could be
transformative."
LCZ696 is the second treatment, along with serelaxin, which is
being developed by Novartis for patients with heart failure. Last
week, serelaxin suffered a setback when staff at the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration panel recommended the drug be rejected.
Heart failure is a significant and growing public health concern
with more 20 million people living with the disease across Europe
and the U.S. alone. It is associated with high morbidity and
mortality, frequent hospitalization and poor quality of life.
Write to Neil MacLucas at neil.maclucas@wsj.com
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