All concepts, explanations, trials, and studies have been
re-written in plain English and may contain errors. I am
not a doctor
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New Drug For High Blood Pressure

	May 21, 1999 - Results of phase 2 trials of
a new drug called omapatrilat show that the drug may
be excellent for reducing high blood pressure.
	Data from three phase 2 omapatrilat studies 
were presented today by Dr. Henry Black. The data 
suggest that omapatrilat causes substantial blood 
pressure reduction and has an impressive treatment
success rate.
	Omapatrilat is one of a new class of heart
drugs known as vasopeptidase inhibitors (VPIs). 
Vasopeptidase inhibitors inhibit 2 key enzymes at 
the same time - Neutral Endopeptidase and 
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) - both of which
contribute to regular blood levels.
	"This shows that omapatrilat is a new option 
for patients who have uncontrolled high blood 
pressure," Dr. Black said. "Although the results of 
phase 2 data does not show superiority over other 
drugs, researchers are very pleased and anticipate 
positive results from phase 3 trials in the future."
	Hypertension is defined as blood pressure 
greater than 140 mmHg systolic or 90 mmHg diastolic and
affects 50 million people in the USA.
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	11/99 - A study on a new CHF drug was presented
at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions.
The new drug, called omapatrilat, is of a new class of
compounds called vasopeptidase inhibitors.
	The results of this study, combined with others,
suggest that the use of omapatrilat may reduce deaths
and hospitalizations from CHF by almost 30%, says
Jean-Lucien Rouleau MD.
	A CHF treatment mainstay known as ACE inhibitors
interfere with the body's production of angiotensin, a
chemical that causes arteries to constrict. The problem
with ACE inhibitors, according to Rouleau, is that they
do not work on all substances in the body that cause
constriction of arteries.
	The new drug works in 2 ways. Like ACE inhibitors,
it blocks the action of angiotensin. Omapatrilat also
neutralizes a substance called neutral endopeptidase,
causing blood vessels to relax. "Omapatrilat is the first
drug in this class and it may be better than the ACE
inhibitor class," says Rouleau.
	In the study, 289 patients took 40mg of omapatrilat
daily and 284 patients took 20mg of lisinopril, an ACE
inhibitor, for 24 weeks. The patients' average age was 64
years and 79% were male. All had mild to moderate CHF.
	After 12 weeks of therapy, the patients' performance
on treadmill tests improved in both treatment groups.
Measurements of cardiovascular and overall clinical function
also improved. Side effects included diarrhea and mild
dizziness. Improvement was seen in death rates and
hospitalization for worsening heart failure. Only 16
patients in the omapatrilat group experienced any of these
adverse events, while 29 did in the lisinopril group.
	A new study of omapatrilat called OVERTURE
(Omapatrilat Versus Enalapril Randomized Trial of Utility
in Reducing Event), has already started. It will enroll
4,420 patients.