Bayer HealthCare reports positive hypertension drug trial data

Bayer HealthCare has announced positive interim trial data from Chest-2, a study assessing the benefits of the innovative new hypertension therapy riociguat.

Results from the open-label long-term extension of the pivotal phase III study Chest-1 showed the long-term safety and sustained clinical benefits of the drug in the treatment of inoperable or residual chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

This backed up the findings of Chest-1, with patients experiencing a significant and sustained improvements in six-minute walking distance compared to those receiving a placebo.

Riociguat is the first member of a novel class of compounds that functions by stimulating soluble guanylate cyclase, an enzyme found in the cardiopulmonary system.

Kemal Malik, member of the Bayer HealthCare executive committee and head of global development, said: "These results reinforce the role of riociguat, if approved, in treating this life-threatening disease for which no approved drug treatment is available."

Last week, the company also announced positive new trial data for its oral anticoagulant rivaroxaban, showing its benefits in protecting patients at risk of dangerous blood clots in the arterial thromboembolic setting.