New data build case for in-hospital initiation of Entresto

Swiss drug giant Novartis (NOVN: VX) has announced new positive data from the PIONEER-HF trial assessing the impact of in-hospital initiation of Entresto (sacubitril/valsartan) on systolic heart failure (HF).

The update builds on an earlier presentation of data from the trial, delivered in late 2018, which outlined the benefits of Entresto over enalapril, marketed as Vasotec.

Granted approval in Europe in 2015, the therapy has thus far failed to meet analysts’ sales expectations. Entresto took in $318 million last year, an increase of 76% from 2017.