Pfizer reports positive data for heart failure therapy Inspra

Pfizer has revealed data from a post-hoc analysis that adds to the positive clinical profile of its heart failure therapy Inspra.

The new assessment of data from the Emphasis-HF trial showed that the eplerenone therapy was able to deliver statistically significant reductions in rates of cumulative heart failure hospitalisations compared with placebo, on a background of standard optimal therapy.

It was demonstrated that the bulk of this reduced risk occurred during the first year of follow-up, a particularly vulnerable period for chronic heart failure patients, who are at a particularly high risk of mortality during this time.

Dr Jennifer Rogers of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine said: "We have been able to show that the benefit of treatment with eplerenone markedly reduces the risk of heart failure hospitalisations in patients in the crucial first year of treatment and beyond."

Earlier this month, the company reported positive data from a new study of its smoking cessation aid Champix, showing its benefits compared to standard dose nicotine patch therapy.