Novartis' serelaxin reduces mortality in AHF patients

Phase III study results released by Swiss drug major Novartis (NOVN: VX) yesterday show that its investigational drug RLX030 (serelaxin; trade name Relaxin) reduced all-cause mortality in patients with acute heart failure (AHF). The six-month RELAX-AHF study shows that RLX030 reduces the number of deaths in patients with this disease, which has a higher mortality rate than most other cardiovascular diseases.

The study had two primary endpoints using different scales to measure reduction in dyspnea, only one of which reached statistical significance. Dyspnea, or shortness of breath, is the most common symptom of AHF. RLX030 was well tolerated in the study.

RELAX-AHF was a Phase III clinical trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of RLX030 for the treatment of AHF. It was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 1,161 patients in 11 countries1. In the study, RLX030 was given on admission to the hospital in the form of an intravenous infusion for up to 48 hours in addition to loop diuretics and other medicines and was compared to placebo on top of standard of care treatment for AHF.