Ligand drug reduces hypertension in midstage study

Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc. said Monday its hypertension treatment candidate met its goal of reducing blood pressure in a midstage study.

Results for the drug candidate PS433540 are preliminary. The study is focusing on patients in multiple stages of hypertenstion over a 12-week period. So far, the drug appears to be safe and well-tolerated by patients, the company said.

The drug was given in either 200-milligram, 400-milligram, or 800-milligram doses and compared with placebo or 300-milligram doses of irbesartan, which is the medical name for Avapro, made by Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

The company said headaches were the most common side effects in patients taking PS433540, at 17 percent, But, 11 percent of patients taking the 800-milligram dose experienced edema, which is an abnormal buildup of fluid in parts of the body.

Ligand said it plans on pursing partnership discussions for the drug candidate.

Shares of Ligand rose 16 cents, or 7.6 percent, to $2.28 in morning trading. The stock has traded between $1.10 and $4.55 over the last 52 weeks.