Azizi M, et al. - In this study, researchers assessed the blood pressure (BP) and the hormonal effects of firibastat in patients with hypertension. A total of 34 patients with daytime ambulatory BP of ≥ 135/85 mmHg and < 170/105 mmHg, after a 2-week run-in period, were randomized to receive either firibastat (250 mg twice daily [BID] for 1 week uptitrated to 500 mg BID for 3 weeks) and then placebo for 4 weeks each or vice versa, with a 2-week washout period on placebo. In all, a 4-week firibastat treatment tended to decrease daytime systolic BP relative to placebo in patients with hypertension. Firibastat did not alter the activity of the systemic renin–angiotensin system, and there were no significant adverse events. The researchers concluded that a large, powered trial of longer duration is warranted to fully evaluate its safety and efficacy.