Novartis: Exforge an attractive therapy option

Novarits has described Exforge, a tablet combination of Diovan (valsartan) and Norvasc (amlodipine besylate), as an “attractive therapy option” for the treatment of high blood pressure.

Diovan operates by blocking angiotensin II, a hormone that causes the tightening and narrowing of blood vessels, while amlodipine operates by preventing calcium from entering the blood vessel wall.

Novartis reports that Exforge can be used in patients whose high blood pressure is not managed with dihydropyride calcium channel blockers or angotensin receptor blockers, with nine out of ten patients in clinical trials achieving their treatment goal.

The company announced the tentative approval from the US Food and Drug Administration, dependant on the expiring of patent protection and market exclusivity of amlodipine besylate.

James Shannon, global head of development at Novartis Pharma, said: “Most patients need two or more medicines to control their blood pressure and achieve guideline targets.”

He added that Exforge could prove to be an appealing therapy alternative for patients with high blood pressure due to its combination of two strong means of action combined in one pill.

Last month, the company received a positive opinion from the European Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use.