The European Commission has approved Novartis’ Entresto (sacubitril/valsartan) for treating adult patients with symptomatic chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Entresto is a twice-a-day tablet and has a mode of action which is thought to reduce the strain on the failing heart. The drug was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in July 2015.

Novartis has high hopes for Entresto. A recent Thomson Reuters analysis estimates 2019 sales for Entresto at $3.7 billion, and Novartis estimates possible peak sales in excess of $5 billion for the reduced ejection fraction indication on a global basis.

Entresto exhibits the mechanism of action of an angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor that reduces the strain on the failing heart. It acts to enhance the protective neurohormonal systems of the heart (NP system) while simultaneously suppressing the harmful system, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS).

Source: Novartis