US FDA clears two indications for Boehringer Ingelheim's telmisartan and GSK's Votrient for renal cancer

German independent drug major Boehringer Ingelheim says that the US Food and Drug Administration has approved a new indication for Micardis (telmisartan) for the reduction of the risk of myocardial infarction (heart attack), stroke, or death from cardiovascular (CV) causes in patients 55 years of age or older at high risk of developing major CV events who are unable to take ACE inhibitors.

Micardis is the first treatment in its class to be approved for this indication, the firm claims. Approximately 20% of patients taking an ACE inhibitor experience side effects (such as persistent cough), making some people less likely to take their medication as prescribed.

Additionally, the FDA has approved Twynsta, a new, highly effective single pill combination therapy of telmisartan (an angiotensin receptor blocker and amlodipine (a calcium-channel blocker). Twynsta is indicated for the treatment of hypertension, alone or with other antihypertensive agents, and as initial therapy in patients who are likely to need multiple drugs to achieve their blood pressure goals.