The FDA has approved Novartis Pharmaceuticals’ Valturna (aliskiren and valsartan) tablets, the first and only medicine to target two key points within the renin system. Also known as the renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS), it is an important regulator of blood pressure. Valturna is to be used for the treatment of high blood pressure in patients not adequately controlled on aliskiren or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) monotherapy and as initial therapy in patients likely to need multiple drugs to achieve their blood pressure goals.

Drug developer Novartis received the FDA approval for its Valturna drug for the treatment of high blood pressure. The drug is a single-pill combination of valsartan and aliskiren. While Valsartan is the active ingredient in Novartis’ high blood pressure drug Diovan, aliskiren is the active ingredient in the company’s blood pressure drug Tekturna.