Medicines Co. drug helps tame blood pressure

NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) - An experimental treatment developed by Medicines Co. did a better job controlling blood pressure during surgery than some standard treatments, according to two studies released on Tuesday.

Researchers compared the investigational therapy, called clevidipine or Cleviprex, with a standard cocktail of drug treatments in three separate studies. In two of the trials, the Medicines Co. drug was statistically better at keeping blood pressure in check.

The results were released at the American College of Cardiology annual meeting in New Orleans, which is concluding on Tuesday.

Medicines Co. expects to file its application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration by the end of the second quarter.

The three trials, which involved a total of 1,964 heart surgery patients, also found no statistical differences in death, heart attack, stroke or kidney problems in the patients getting the experimental drug, vs. those getting conventional treatments.

The intravenously-given drug acts by relaxing smooth muscle cells lining small arteries, which expands the arteries and reduces blood pressure.

Medicines Co. shares were down 30 cents, or 1.2 percent, at $25.05 in afternoon Nasdaq trading.