Japanese drugmaker Takeda has begun Phase II trials in the U.S. and Europe for TAK-491, its investigational compound for the treatment of hypertension.

The drug is one of two that Takeda has in development as potential successors to its blockbuster hypertension drug Blopress. The other drug is TAK-536, also in Phase II development.

TAK-491, an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), is expected to show stronger anti-hypertensive action compared with existing ARBs on the market. In the anti-hypertensive market, the ARB class is now recognized as a mainstream treatment option.