Type 2 Diabetes: Preliminary Results in Aliskiren Trial Show Drug 'May Even Be Harmful'

Preliminary results from the Aliskiren Trial in Type 2 Diabetes Using Cardio-Renal Endpoints (ALTITUDE) do not support administration of aliskiren on top of standard therapy with renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) blockade in type 2 diabetics at high risk of cardiovascular and renal events, according to Professor Hans-Henrik Parving from Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. Presenting results from the study August 26, he said the treatment "may even be harmful."

The ALTITUDE trial was stopped prematurely in December 2011 on recommendation of the data monitoring committee after it found an increased occurrence of side effects and continuation of the study was deemed "futile."

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/08/120826142958.htm

The action represents a major setback for a drug that had once been thought to have blockbuster potential. Novartis said it was immediately ceasing all promotion of products containing aliskiren and was talking with health authorities about the implications of the findings.

Aliskiren was first approved in 2007 for the treatment of hypertension. Novartis said that total sales for Rasilez and Tekturna were $449 million for the first 9 months of 2011.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/larryhusten/2011/12/20/altitude-study-of-aliskiren-terminated-early-by-novartis/

Another Type two wonder drug bites the dust. How many have been killed with this "blockbuster" ?

Eddie