Small molecule and peptide therapies for chronic heart failure: a patent review (2011 – 2014)

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic heart failure (CHF) is the long-term inability of the heart to meet circulatory demands under normal conditions. Effects of CHF can include increased blood volume, increased vascular resistance and compromised contractility leading to fluid retention, dyspnea and fatigue. Current standard of care for chronic systolic heart failure is directed towards managing hypoperfusion through the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone and sympathetic nervous systems. Treatment may also involve reversal of maladaptive cardiac remodeling and prevention of life-threatening arrhythmias.

Areas covered: This review highlights small molecule and peptidic agents for the treatment of CHF with patents published between 2011 and 2014. Targets are subdivided into inotropic agents, ventricular remodeling, diuretics and the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system.

Expert opinion: CHF represents a large, unmet medical need where improved therapies are needed. The renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system pathway continues to be a major source of new therapies for CHF with new inotropic therapies emerging. Promising initial clinical results for a few approaches combined with the expectation of additional clinical results in the near future make this an exciting time in the pursuit of new treatments for CHF.

Keywords:

• chronic heart failure
• diuretics
• inotropes
• renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system
• ventricular remodeling

Declaration of interest

All of the authors are employees of Pfizer. The authors state no conflict of interest and have received no payment in preparation of this manuscript.

Notes

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