Novartis reports RLX030 data in acute heart failure

Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS; SIX:NOVN) said RLX030 plus standard of care (SOC) met one of two co-primary endpoints measuring a reduction in dyspnea in the Phase III RELAX-AHF trial to treat acute heart failure (AHF). The endpoints were: the change from baseline in patient-reported dyspnea on the Likert scale at 6, 12 and 24 hours; and change from baseline in dyspnea measured by VAS score through day five. Novartis declined to say which endpoint result was significant. Novartis added that RLX030 reduced all-cause mortality in the trial, but the pharma declined to provide details, citing its plans to release more data at the American Heart Association meeting in Los Angeles in November. RLX030 was well tolerated. Patients received RLX030 or placebo on admission to the hospital as a continuous IV infusion for up to 48 hours in combination with loop diuretics and other medicines. Novartis declined to provide details on future development plans for RLX030 (formerly Relaxin). ...