Speedel drug lowers blood pressure at night -study

ZURICH (Reuters) – A new kind of blood pressure pill being
developed by Speedel Holding AG and Novartis AG helped patients
keep blood pressure low overnight when combined with an older
type of blood pressure drug, a study found.

Aliskiren, formerly known as SPP100, significantly reduced
night-time blood pressure measurements when combined with an
angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), Speedel said on Tuesday,
referring to results from a nine-week clinical study.

Novartis has partnered with Speedel to develop the drug,
the first in a new class of blood pressure treatments, and
expects to file the drug for registration in the United States
in early 2006.