'Game-changer' jab given every six months could change lives for millions
A global clinical trial is testing a twice-yearly injection called zilebesiran to treat high blood pressure. The drug uses RNA interference to silence liver genes, potentially replacing daily medication for millions of patients.
Why it matters
This could significantly improve patient adherence to treatment and reduce the long-term risks of heart attacks and strokes associated with hypertension.
A twice-yearly jab could help millions of people better control high blood pressure . A landmark global trial is recruiting 11,000 people to test the jab, after previous smaller studies found it helped to lower readings. Experts hope the new treatment could one day allow some patients to ditch daily pills entirely.
Dr Manish Saxena, national coordinator for the UK and a hypertension specialist at Barts Health NHS Trust, said: “It can be a real game-changer, if it’s successful. The novelty of this treatment is its long duration; giving just one injection every six months could help millions of patients to better manage their condition.”
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