NOVARTIS BLOOD PRESSURE DRUG GETS FDA REVIEW

The marketing application for high blood pressure treatment Rasilez, manufactured by Swiss drugmaker Novartis, has been accepted for review by the U.S. FDA, the company reported.

The acceptance is based on data collected from more than 6,000 high blood pressure patients, which showed that Rasilez lowered blood pressure over 24 hours and helped lower blood pressure levels in patients already on other blood pressure medications.

Rasilez is a renin inhibitor -- a new type of drug that blocks renin, the enzyme released in the kidneys in response to low blood volume.