Novartis’ Entresto ‘could help prevent more than 28,000 US deaths’

Novartis has announced new clinical data showing the potential deaths that can be averted among heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

Published in JAMA Cardiology, the study has indicated that timely and broad adoption of Entresto by all eligible HFrEF could prevent or postpone more than 28,000 deaths each year in the US alone.

This analysis was based on an application of the results of PARADIGM-HF to published heart failure statistics, and represents the first to quantify the possible impact of Entresto's potential benefit in reducing death.

It also indicated that delaying the routine use of Entresto in clinical practice could have a substantial negative effect on patients, as it could result in a failure to prevent tens of thousands of deaths.

Vas Narasimhan, global head of development and chief medical officer for Novartis, said: "Entresto has now independently received a Class I recommendation in clinical guidelines and was shown in multiple analysis to be cost-effective, so physicians and healthcare systems should feel confident in ensuring rapid and broad use of this breakthrough medicine."

The drug was given a strong Class I recommendation in new heart failure guidelines for the US and EU last month.