Omecamtiv mecarbil for treating chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction

Omecamtiv mecarbil is currently in clinical development for the treatment of heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction. HF is a complex clinical syndrome of symptoms and signs that suggest the efficiency of the heart to pump blood around the body is impaired. The classic symptoms of HF are breathlessness, ankle swelling, or fatigue. More than half of people with HF have reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) which means the heart muscle does not contract effectively and therefore less oxygen-rich blood is pumped out to the body. There remains a large unmet need for new therapies in the treatment of HFrEF.
Omecamtiv mecarbil is given by oral administration in the form of a tablet. Omecamtiv mecarbil works by interacting with a protein called cardiac myosin that is responsible for converting chemical energy into the mechanical force that results in contraction of the heart. The interaction of omecamtiv mecarbil with cardiac myosin improves the performance of the heart muscle to preserve its function. If licensed, omecamtiv mecarbil may provide an additional treatment option for people with HFrEF who currently have limited therapies available.