Overview

• In the phase 2 KARDIA-2 trial involving 663 patients, adding a twice-yearly injection of zilebesiran to standard antihypertensive therapy outperformed standard treatment alone in reducing blood pressure.
• Zilebesiran employs RNA interference to block hepatic angiotensinogen production, promoting vascular relaxation and sustained pressure control.
• Participants received a single subcutaneous dose every six months, suggesting potential for improved adherence compared with daily oral medications.
• Next steps include the KARDIA-3 Phase 2 study focusing on patients with established cardiovascular disease followed by a large global outcomes trial on major events.
• Queen Mary University of London led the research with Barts Health NHS Trust as a principal site and Alnylam Pharmaceuticals funding the study.