Bayer cardiovascular drug ‘offers greater tolerability’

Bayer has announced the results of its Ontarget trial, with Pritor/Kinzalmono (telmisartan) reportedly offering the same protection as current cardiovascular drugs, while offering greater protection.

Telmisartan is a modern angiotensin II receptor blocker and was found to be as protective as ramipril in reducing stroke, myocardial infarction, hospitalisation for congestive heart failure and cardiovascular death in a range of patients.

It was found to be significantly better tolerated than ramipril with respect to typical ACE-inhibitor side effects, though patients with ACE-inhibitor tolerance had been excluded from this part of the trial.

Bayer notes that the compound, marketed under both the Pritor and Kinzalmono brand names in Europe, is indicated for the treatment of essential hypertension in the EU.

Professor Roland Asmar, medical director of the Cardiovascular Institute, said: “Through Ontarget, telmisartan has clearly proven to be as effective as ramipril, the current gold standard, but with greater tolerability.”

He added that the results of this study will probably influence a shift in the overall management of cardiovascular disease.

Bayer acquired Boehringer Ingelheim treatment telmisartan in Europe from GlaxoSmithKline in January 2006.

The sum for the acquisition was not disclosed, while the business had a reported turnover of approximately 65 million euros (50 million pounds) in 2005.