New Study Shows Promise
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London ran a big study called KARDIA‑2. They gave a single injection every six months to adults whose blood pressure was hard to control.
Better Results Than Regular Care
663 participants kept taking their usual medicines. Some also received the new drug zilebesiran as an injection. Those who got the injection saw a bigger drop in blood pressure than the people who only used their regular pills.
Why It Matters
About one in three adults in the UK has high blood pressure. If it is not treated, it can cause heart attacks, strokes, or even death. A treatment that works for six months could help many people stay healthier.
How the Drug Works
Zilebesiran uses a technique called RNA interference. It stops the liver from making a protein named angiotensinogen. Less of this protein lets blood vessels relax, which lowers the pressure inside them. The medicine is given as a small shot under the skin.
What Comes Next
Scientists will keep testing the drug in a Phase 2 trial called KARDIA‑3. This study will look at people who already have heart disease or who are at high risk for it. Later this year, a worldwide outcomes trial will check if the injection can also cut the chances of strokes and heart‑related deaths.
Support and Leadership
The research was paid for by Alnylam Pharmaceuticals. Barts Health NHS Trust led the trial in Europe and enrolled the most participants.