Amgen today announced the U.S. FDA has granted priority review designation for ivabradine for the treatment of chronic heart failure (HF). Ivabradine is an oral drug that inhibits the If current ("funny" current) in the sinoatrial node, the body's cardiac pacemaker. Ivabradine works to slow the heart rate without negative effects on myocardial contractility or ventricular repolarization.1 Heart failure is a common condition that affects approximately 26 million worldwide, including approximately 5.1 million people in the U.S.

"The priority review designation by the FDA is evidence that chronic heart failure is a serious condition, which leads to high rates of rehospitalization and poor prognosis despite available treatments. If approved, ivabradine would potentially provide a significant improvement, on top of standard-of-care therapies, for this grievous condition," said Sean E. Harper, M.D., executive vice president of Research and Development at Amgen. "We are excited about the opportunity to bring this important therapeutic option to certain patients with chronic heart failure in the U.S."

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