RDIF and AstraZeneca invest in aldosterone synthase inhibitor for arterial hypertension

The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), Russia’s sovereign wealth fund), UK pharma major AstraZeneca (LSE: AZN) and Unicorn Capital Partners, a biotech-specialized VC fund, based in Moscow, today announced the agreement to invest in Target Medicals, developing an inhibitor of aldosterone synthase, a key enzyme responsible for production of aldosterone.

This hormone is an essential component of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, which regulates circulating blood volume and arterial blood pressure.

There are at least 1 billion people globally living with arterial hypertension, of which about 10% develop a resistant form of the disease, which is typically diagnosed when regular intake of three or more antihypertensive drugs, including diuretic, does not lead to reduction of blood pressure down to 140/90 mmHg or lower. Inadequately controlled arterial hypertension is known to increase the risks of various health complications, including fatal ones. Therefore, despite available therapy, there is a high unmet need in new pharmacological options for the treatment of resistant arterial hypertension.