The four-in-one drug for cardiovascular diseases being developed by Dr Reddy Laboratories today got a shot in the arm as the institute which undertook its international clinical trials said the drug can halve predicted heart disease and stroke risk.
According to New Zealand-based 'The George Institute of Global Health', the trial tested the effectiveness and tolerability of the polypill in 378 people with raised cardiovascular risk, who did not necessarily have high blood pressure or cholesterol.
"These results show that a halving in heart disease and stroke can be expected for people taking this polypill long-term," Professor Anthony Rodgers of The George Institute said in a statement today.
The once-a-day polypill, which contains aspirin and agents to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, is aimed at reducing the cholesterol and blood pressure simultaneously.
When contacted, a senior official of DR Reddy's refused to comment on the results.
"We have nothing to react at this point of time. We have to go a long way. It may take 3 to 4 years before the drug is commercially produced," the official told PTI.
The trial participants came from Australia, Brazil, India, New Zealand, The Netherlands, UK and the USA.