EMEA approves GSK and Boehringer Ingelheim's new antihypertensive

Both GlaxoSmithKline and Boehringer Ingelheim say that the EuropeanMedicines Evaluation Agency has approved their respective antihypertensive products, PritorPlus and MicardisPlus (telmisartan plus hydrochlorothiazide). Telmisartan is a subtype 1 angiotensin II receptor antagonist, while HCZ is a diuretic belonging to the thiazides family.

The combination therapy provided by the two companies is intended for certain groups of patients with hypertension who are particularly difficult to control and will be available as a fixed-dose combination of telmisartan (40mg and 80mg) and HCZ (12.5mg).

MicardisPlus will be co-marketed in certain countries by GSK, under the PritorPlus brand name, including European Union member states. GSK currently promotes its Pritor (telmisartan) brand in a number of international and European countries under a co-marketing agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim.