lorundrostat Shows Promise in Lowering Blood Pressure for Uncontrolled Hypertension

A recent phase 3 clinical trial has revealed that lorundrostat, a novel aldosterone synthase inhibitor, significantly reduced blood pressure in adults struggling with uncontrolled hypertension, including those with treatment-resistant hypertension. The study, published in JAMA on June 30, 2025, indicated that adverse events associated with the drug were generally mild and resolved without requiring intervention.

Lorundrostat’s Impact on Uncontrolled Hypertension

The Launch-HTN trial, conducted across 159 clinic sites in 13 countries, enrolled 1,083 participants between November 2023 and September 2024, with follow-up concluding in January 2025. The study focused on adults with uncontrolled hypertension who were already taking between two and five antihypertensive medications. The participant pool consisted of 46.9% women, 28.7% Black or African American individuals, and 63.3% with a body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher.

Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: one receiving 50 mg/d of lorundrostat with potential escalation to 100 mg/d (n = 270), another receiving a fixed dose of 50 mg/d of lorundrostat (n = 541), and a control group receiving a placebo (n = 272). The treatment period lasted for 12 weeks, with the primary outcome measured as the change in automated office systolic blood pressure at week 6.

Did You Know? Hypertension, or high blood pressure, affects nearly half of adults in the United States, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke, which are leading causes of death ^[1].

Key findings from the Launch-HTN Trial

The results of the trial demonstrated a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure among participants treated with lorundrostat.Specifically, those receiving lorundrostat experienced a least-squares mean change of -16.9 mm Hg (95% CI, -19 to -14.9) compared to -7.9 mm Hg (95% CI, -11.5 to -4.2) in the placebo group (P < .001). Furthermore, at week 6, 44.1% of participants in the lorundrostat group achieved systolic blood pressure below 130 mm Hg, compared to only 24.1% in the placebo group (odds ratio, 3.4; 95% CI,1.5-7.8; P = .003).

The efficacy of lorundrostat remained consistent across various demographic subgroups, including age, sex, race, BMI, and the number of antihypertensive medications prescribed. Treatment-emergent adverse events were generally mild to moderate in severity. However, prespecified adverse events such as hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, or reduced kidney function led to nine discontinuations in the lorundrostat group, compared to none in the placebo group. Approximately 2% of lorundrostat recipients experienced symptomatic hypotension, compared to 0.4% in the placebo group.

Pro Tip: Regular monitoring of blood pressure is crucial for managing hypertension. The American Heart Association recommends checking your blood pressure regularly at home and visiting your doctor for routine check-ups ^[2].

Implications for Hypertension Treatment

According to the researchers, these findings support the potential use of lorundrostat as a valuable treatment option for individuals with uncontrolled hypertension, including those with treatment-resistant hypertension. the study’s corresponding author, Manish Saxena, MBBS, from Barts Health NHS Trust and Queen Mary University, emphasized the significance of these results in addressing a critical unmet need in hypertension management.

Mineralys Therapeutics, the company developing lorundrostat, had previously announced top-line results from the Launch-HTN trial in March 2025.The drug represents a new approach to managing hypertension by inhibiting aldosterone synthase, an enzyme involved in the production of aldosterone, a hormone that regulates blood pressure.

Study Limitations and Future Directions

The study’s limitations include the relatively short duration of 12 weeks for evaluating lorundrostat’s efficacy and safety. Longer-term data are currently being collected in an open-label extension study. additionally, the researchers used unattended office blood pressure measurements, while ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is considered the gold standard. However, a phase 2 study that measured 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure demonstrated similar patterns of blood pressure lowering, providing further support for lorundrostat’s effectiveness.

The study was funded by Mineralys Therapeutics.Several authors reported receiving personal fees from Mineralys and other pharmaceutical companies, and some were employees of Mineralys. It is vital to consider these disclosures when interpreting the study’s findings.

What are the potential long-term benefits of using lorundrostat for managing uncontrolled hypertension?

How might lorundrostat compare to existing treatment options for individuals with treatment-resistant hypertension?

Disclaimer: This article provides information for general knowledge and informational purposes only, and does not constitute medical advice. It is essential to consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.

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primary care Weight Management Programs Show Promise in Preventing Population-Wide Weight Gain

CHICAGO – A new study reveals that encouraging patients to discuss weight management with their primary care physicians can lead to significant benefits, including increased clinic visits for obesity, prevention of population-wide weight gain, and increased revenue for healthcare systems.

PATHWEIGH Protocol: A 4-Year Study

Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine (CU Anschutz) presented data from a 4-year study of the PATHWEIGH protocol at the American Diabetes association (ADA) 85th Scientific sessions. The study, which involved 274,182 patients across 56 primary care clinics in Colorado, demonstrated the potential of integrating weight management into primary care settings.

Did You Know? The CDC reports that obesity affects over 40% of adults in the United States, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer.

Key Findings of the PATHWEIGH Study

While the intervention group experienced a modest weight loss of 0.1 kg at 18 months, the most significant outcome was the prevention of the typical expected weight gain across the entire population. In contrast, those who did not receive the intervention experienced a weight gain of approximately 0.1 kg.

According to Dr. Leigh Perreault, associate professor of medicine at CU anschutz, “Our data is the first to scale an intervention to more than a quarter of a million people and prevent population weight gain.”

How PATHWEIGH Works

The study employed a stepped-wedge cluster randomized trial design, were clinics were randomized to offer either usual care or the PATHWEIGH intervention. Eventually, all clinics transitioned to using the intervention. Patients receiving usual care had visits where weight could be discussed, but clinicians lacked access to PATHWEIGH tools. In contrast, those in the intervention group had weight-specific visits, and their doctors had access to the protocol.

The PATHWEIGH protocol includes:

• A weight-management questionnaire for patients to complete before their visit.
• Specialized support tools and education for clinicians.
• A weight-specific template embedded in the electronic medical record for diagnosis, documentation, and ordering referrals.

Physicians were encouraged to follow up with patients every 4 to 6 weeks. Though, the use of these tools was optional, meaning patients in the intervention group could still receive usual care.

Impact on Patient Care