Johnson and Johnson announces new Natrecor results

Johnson & Johnson has announced new results for renal, mortality and safety data regarding Natrecor (nesiritide), the treatment for acutely decompensated heart failure (ADHF).

The phase II trial demonstrated that patients undergoing Natrecor treatments displayed a “significantly decrease” in mortality rates, while improving post-operative renal function in the process.

In addition, subjects receiving Natrecor displayed a similar frequency of adverse events to those taking the placebo.

The findings of the study, entitled NAPA, were presented at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Heart Failure Society of America.

John M Luber, a primary trial investigator and cardiothoracic surgeon at the Franciscan Health System Research Centre in Washington, said the results were “encouraging” as they indicate that the drug can improve patient outcomes in “very sick” ADHF patients.

Roger Mills, vice president of medical affairs at Scios, the Johnson & Johnson subsidiary responsible for developing Natrecor, remarked: “We have confidence in the safety profile of nesiritide and are also committed to continuing to further assess its clinical benefits in patients with ADHF, including important clinical outcomes through a robust clinical trials program.”

Johnson & Johnson claims that Natrecor is the only therapy approved for treating ADHF where patients showed signs of improved breathing and the reduction of wedge pressures in the lung.

In April, ministers put forward Natrecor for a speeded-up single technology appraisal process to speed up its availability on the NHS.