Consortium to define new modalities for treating hypertension and associated vascular complications

Top Institute Pharma (TI Pharma) has formed a consortium with Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Erasmus Medical Centre and Maastricht University to define new modalities for the treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure) and associated vascular complications such as heart and kidney failure, myocardial infarction and stroke. Based on novel action mechanisms, new drugs may be discovered with the potential to prevent vascular complications in patients with hypertension: an opportunity to improve the quality of life for over a billion people worldwide. This collaboration, involving 3.4 million euros, 9 new research positions, unique materials and exchange of know-how, is scheduled to last 3 years.

Jan Danser, Professor of Pharmacology at Erasmus MC says: "Ideally, new antihypertensive drugs not only lower blood pressure, but also offer organ protection. Our project studies the consequences of blocking the biological pathways in cells and organs that lead to hypertension. As such, the project will pave the way towards finding new ways to better treat hypertension and its associated vascular complications." Additionally, the project will focus on finding new modalities for the treatment of fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension, especially in children.