Exforge approved in Europe as powerful new blood pressure therapy combining two leading medications in a single pill.

(From Hugin)

Corporate news announcement processed and transmitted by Hugin ASA. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- * Exforge combines the actions of valsartan and amlodipine, two of the world's most prescribed branded antihypertensive medications1,2 * Clinical data show Exforge delivers powerful blood pressure reductions, getting up to nine out of 10 patients to blood pressure goal3 * EU approval based on clinical trials in more than 5,000 patients, showing better efficacy and less edema than with amlodipine alone3,4 Basel, January 18, 2007 - Novartis announced today that the European Commission has granted approval for Exforge as a new and highly effective single-pill treatment for patients with high blood pressure. Exforge combines in one tablet the power of the two most commonly prescribed branded hypertension medicines - Diovan (valsartan) and Norvasc (amlodipine besylate). Exforge is indicated for the treatment of hypertension in patients whose blood pressure is not adequately controlled by amlodipine or valsartan alone[1,2]. Exforge will be launched shortly in Germany followed by launches in most other European Union countries throughout the year, pending expiration of the patent protection for Norvasc. The EU decision, which applies in all 27 EU member states plus Iceland and Norway, follows recent tentative approval in the US and approval in Switzerland. "High blood …