Novartis researchers reported that new clinical data shows its immunosuppressant drug Certican, in its second year of phase III trials, is "significantly" lowering the rate of acute rejection of transplanted organs and graft vasculopathy.

A Novatis researcher told the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation that the trials of Certican administered in combindation with cyclosporine marked "the first time that an immunosuppressant has been shown to significantly reduce vasculopathy."

Vasculopathy, the thickening of cell walls which narrows vessels and reduces blood supply, is the most serious risk factor for long-term transplant loss.

Certican is in the second year of phase III trials, scheduled to run for another year, for use in combination with cyclosporinel to prevent graft rejection in kidney, lung and heart transplant recipients and to prevent the primary causes of chronic rejection.

Other sources: Novartis