Novartis receives positive EU opinion on blood pressure drug

Novartis has received a positive opinion from Europe's healthcare regulator for the approval of a new combination treatment for high blood pressure.

The European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) is recommending the company's Rasilamlo single-pill treatment based on positive data from clinical trials.

Rasilamlo combines the direct renin inhibitor Rasilez with the calcium channel blocker amlodipine and is designed for the treatment of patients who are unable to benefit from either drug on its own.

The European Commission will now agree a licensing decision on the treatment in around three months' time.

David Epstein, division head of Novartis Pharmaceuticals, said: "We are delighted with the CHMP opinion because it means that Rasilamlo could soon be made available to patients in the EU in need of effective combination treatments."

Earlier this month, the company published new trial data for its chronic obstructive pulmonary disease drug Onbrez Breezhaler, demonstrating the benefits it offers over existing therapy options.