New Treatment for Heart Failure

 A new drug combination developed by Novartris (LCZ696) proved superior to angiotensin-converting–enzyme (ACE) inhibitor enalapril, which has been the mainstay treatment for heart failure for almost 25 years. LCZ696 comprises two drugs: (1) sacubitril (AHU377), neprilysin inhibitor which blocks the degradation of endogenous vasoactive peptides, such as natriuretic peptides, bradykinin, and adrenomedullin, and (2) valsartan, as angiotensin-receptor blocker.
 
LCZ696 was more effective than enalapril in several outcomes such as reduced hospitalization, reduced symptoms and physical limitations of heart failure, and reducing the risk of cardiovascular deaths by 20%.

The results were so significant that the PARADIGM-HF trial comparing LCZ696 to enalapril, the largest heart failure study ever done, was terminated early due to obvious superiority of LCZ696.
 

For more information see:            
http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1409077#t=articleBackground

Or press releases:
http://time.com/3224444/new-heart-drug-saves-lives/
http://www.novartis.com/newsroom/media-releases/en/2014/1852531.shtml