He promises double-digit sales growth by 2009 as newly approved drugs like Tekturna for hypertension kick in.

FORBES: Magazine Article

In the study, Tekturna was given in addition to optimal cardiovascular treatment including an ACE inhibitor or ARB.

FORBES: ALTITUDE Study of Aliskiren Terminated Early by Novartis

Specifically, Tekturna was associated with an increased risk of non-fatal stroke, renal complications, hyperkalemia, and hypotension .

FORBES: ALTITUDE Study of Aliskiren Terminated Early by Novartis

This was the first study to investigate Tekturna for more than one year in a specific population of patients with type 2 diabetes and renal impairment.

FORBES: ALTITUDE Study of Aliskiren Terminated Early by Novartis

Therefore healthcare professionals should switch patients who are on Tekturna or any aliskiren-based products, in combination with an ACE or an ARB, to an alternative anti-hypertension regimen.

FORBES: ALTITUDE Study of Aliskiren Terminated Early by Novartis

Novartis was informed that the independent Data Monitoring Committee (DMC) overseeing ALTITUDE had recommended stopping the trial because Tekturna was unlikely to show any benefit, and potential safety concerns had been identified in these high-risk patients.

FORBES: ALTITUDE Study of Aliskiren Terminated Early by Novartis

Novartis announced today the early termination of the ALTITUDE trial, which was testing the effect of the direct renin inhibitor aliskiren (Rasilez, Tekturna) in type 2 diabetics at high risk for cardiovascular and renal events.

FORBES: ALTITUDE Study of Aliskiren Terminated Early by Novartis