Forest Laboratories reports positive trial data for hypertension drug

Forest Laboratories has announced encouraging data from a study evaluating the efficacy and safety of a new combination therapy for hypertension.

Positive topline results from the eight-week pivotal phase III trial showed that the investigational fixed-dose combination (FDC) of nebivolol and valsartan can potentially provide a number of benefits.

It delivered statistically significant reductions in diastolic blood pressure versus both nebivolol and valsartan alone at eight weeks, thus meeting the primary efficacy endpoint of the trial, while also achieving the secondary goal of a change in baseline blood pressure levels.

Forest now plans to submit the therapy regimen for approval by US regulators in the first quarter of 2014.

Dr Marco Taglietti, senior vice-president of research and development and president at the Forest Research Institute, said the data "supports the potential use of the nebivolol/valsartan FDC as a new treatment option for patients with hypertension who need dual therapy to reach their blood pressure goals".

Last month, the company announced a new collaboration with Trevena that will focus on the development of a promising new heart failure therapy.