Barts Health and Queen Mary scientists to trial world-first long-acting injection for high blood pressure | Our news

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Barts Health and Queen Mary scientists to trial world-first long-acting injection for high blood pressure

  • Scientists from Barts Health NHS Trust and Queen Mary, University of London are trialling an investigational medication for high blood pressure (hypertension) in a clinical study
  • It is the first time that scientists will be trying an injection-based approach to treat high blood pressure
  • If it’s successful, it could change how high blood pressure is treated for adults with this condition.

Scientists from Barts Health NHS Trust and Queen Mary, University of London are trialling an investigational medication for high blood pressure (hypertension) in a clinical study which will give patients an injection of the medication every 6 months.

It is the first time that scientists will be trying an injection-based approach to treat high blood pressure. If it’s successful, it could change how high blood pressure is treated for adults with this condition.

The researchers are looking to test the long-acting injection-based approach in approximately 630 patients worldwide with 100 patients across the UK. The study is funded by Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, with Barts Health NHS Trust serving as the lead site for the trial. The study will run for about 3 years. It is supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

Those diagnosed with high blood pressure typically take tablets once a day to control the condition, with ACE inhibitors being the most common medication prescribed.

If untreated, high blood pressure considerably increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. It is one of the most common conditions among adults in the UK. Roughly a third of adults suffer from it in the UK. Key risk factors include being overweight, a poor diet with excess salt and not enough fruit and vegetables, along with smoking and a lack of exercise.

Dr Manish Saxena, study lead and Deputy Clinical Director at Queen Mary University of London, Hypertension Specialist at Barts Health NHS Trust said: “We are excited to be trialling this first of its kind approach to research if it is safe and effective for the treatment of high blood pressure.

“Solving health challenges on this scale cannot be achieved by one person or entity alone. We are thrilled to be working alongside Alnylam and combining our expertise to hopefully change modern medicine.”

Providing a wider choice of treatment options to patients will be beneficial as half of people with high blood pressure are not diagnosed or receiving treatment, according to the British Heart Foundation.

Zilebesiran is an investigational RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutic targeting angiotensinogen (AGT) – a protein produced by the liver and involved in regulating blood pressure. Zilebesiran is administered under the skin and is designed to inhibit the production of AGT preventing constriction of blood vessels which may help reduce elevated blood pressure.

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  1. Damian Owen Thursday, 28 April 2022 at 09:52 AM

    "Trial" is a noun, not a verb. Try is the associated verb.

  2. Chieko Alford Thursday, 28 April 2022 at 01:27 PM

    I live in the US. How do I volunteer for this study?

  3. Jeffrey Fitch Friday, 6 May 2022 at 08:47 AM

    How can I take part in the trial??

  4. Bailie Harkness Wednesday, 19 October 2022 at 08:54 PM

    I would be very interested in becoming part of this trial

  5. Bailie Harkness Thursday, 20 October 2022 at 08:23 PM

    I’m interested in getting involved in high blood pressure trials

  6. Mrs Hannah Joyce Saturday, 22 October 2022 at 10:43 AM

    How do people sign up to this? We heard an advert on the radio earlier but Google is no help.

  7. Jane Hackwood Saturday, 22 October 2022 at 10:46 AM

    How do I take part in this trial? I heard a radio advertisement on LBC today with details on how to take part but couldn’t take down the details quickly enough. I can’t find any details when I do a Google search, either.

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