Daiichi Sankyo announces Benicar HCT data

At the annual scientific meeting of the American Society of Hypertension, Daiichi Sankyo presented data relating to its fixed-dose combination drug Benicar HCT (olmesartan medoxomil/hydrochlorothiazide).

The company reports that the data suggests that, compared to treatment with amopdipine and benazepril, administration with the compound results in a larger mean reduction in seated systolic blood pressure in stage two hypertension patients at 12 weeks.

In the study, patients receiving amlodipine and benazepril saw a mean reduction of 27 points from their baseline blood pressure figure, while those receiving Benicar HCT saw a 33 point drop from this baseline.

At the doses tested, more patients treated with Benicar HCT reached their blood pressure goals set out by JNC 7 compared to those administered with amlodipine and benazepril.

Benicar HCT is currently co-promoted in the US by Daiichi Sankyo and Forest Laboratories.

Henry Punzi of the Punzi Medical Centre and Hypertension Research Institute, said: “The efficacy data results show a benefit for patients receiving either therapy, while those receiving Benicar HCT showed a greater reduction.”

Last month, Forest Laboratories reported that its earnings generated from its co-promotion agreement for Benicar had increased by 52 per cent over the financial year ending March 2007.