Shares of Myogen zoomed up 60 percent after the biotech reported that a Phase IIb trial for the hypertension drug darusentan demonstrated a statistically significant result among patients resistant to standard treatments. About 50 million Americans and 1 billion people worldwide suffer from hypertension, and some 20 percent to 30 percent are unable to reach recommended blood pressure levels with currently approved pharmaceuticals.
"As an endothelin receptor antagonist, darusentan affects blood pressure through a mechanism of action different than those of currently approved antihypertensive drugs," said J. William Freytag, president and CEO of Myogen. "The results of this trial indicate darusentan could provide additional blood pressure lowering benefit in this patient population."
- read this press release for more information