New Hypertension Drug Shows Promise in Diverse Patient Population

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have identified a promising new drug, lorundrostat, for treating resistant or uncontrolled high blood pressure. In a recent Phase II clinical trial involving 285 participants, lorundrostat demonstrated significant efficacy by reducing systolic blood pressure by an average of 15 points, compared to a 7-point reduction in those receiving a placebo.

Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, affects nearly half of all adults in the United States and remains a leading cause of heart disease. The hormone aldosterone plays a critical role in regulating blood pressure, and its dysregulation is often linked to treatment-resistant hypertension. Lorundrostat works by inhibiting aldosterone production, addressing an underrecognized cause of high blood pressure.

During the 12-week trial, all participants received standardized antihypertensive medication, with 190 patients additionally receiving lorundrostat and 95 receiving a placebo. Blood pressure was monitored continuously, revealing that lorundrostat significantly lowered systolic levels in patients who had previously struggled to control their hypertension.

The study’s principal investigator, Dr. Michael Wilkinson, emphasized the potential of lorundrostat as an important new tool for managing high blood pressure. The research team plans to advance to a larger Phase III trial to further assess the drug’s safety and effectiveness across a diverse patient population.