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Cardiovascular disease drug discovery

Nature Biotechnology volume 17, pages 930–931 (1999)Cite this article

Cardiovascular diseases cause more than 15 million deaths in the world each year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO; Geneva). They account for 50% of all deaths in several developed countries, and more than 50% in Africa and Western and Southeast Asia. They are also the major cause of death in adults. In addition, many cardiovascular incidents are not necessarily fatal, but may impair the ability to lead a normal daily life, resulting in enormous healthcare costs (estimated at $50–150 billion per year) to society.

However, despite the huge death and disability tolls, there have been significant declines in total cardiovascular disease mortality over the last few decades, due to improved acute and chronic medications and surgical procedures, and lifestyle and diet changes. Because of the incidence and mortality rates, cardiovascular diseases are the subject of enormous investment by the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, which has resulted in improving generations of new medicines to treat these conditions.

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Acknowledgements

The author wishes to thank David L. Copen of Danbury Hospital's Western Connecticut Cardiac Center for the provision of materials useful in the preparation of this review.

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  1. vice president for business development at Argonex Inc., 706 Forest Street, Charlottesville, 22903, VA

    Aris Persidis

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  1. Aris Persidis
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Persidis, A. Cardiovascular disease drug discovery. Nat Biotechnol 17, 930–931 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1038/12935

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