Prof. Dr. İbrahim Benter, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy at Final International University, shared his evaluation regarding a promising new biotechnological development in the treatment of hypertension. Commenting on recently published clinical research findings in The Lancet, Prof. Dr. Benter stated that RNA-based therapies may open a new era in the management of high blood pressure.

Emphasizing that hypertension remains one of the leading risk factors for cardiovascular diseases worldwide, he noted that current treatment strategies largely rely on daily medication use, with patient adherence playing a critical role in therapeutic success.

In his statement, Prof. Dr. İbrahim Benter said:“A next-generation siRNA molecule, zilebesiran, which aims to inhibit the production of angiotensinogen—the precursor protein at the beginning of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system—offers an approach that targets the root cause of hypertension. Unlike conventional therapies, this biotechnological strategy seeks to intervene at the earliest stage of the disease pathway.”

According to the published clinical findings, zilebesiran suppresses angiotensinogen production in the liver, thereby indirectly reducing the formation of angiotensin II and potentially enabling longer-lasting blood pressure control.

According to the clinical study results published in The Lancet, zilebesiran administered at different doses demonstrated significant reductions in both 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure measurements and office blood pressure readings.

Prof. Dr. Benter underlined the importance of this development:“The most striking aspect is the potential to achieve long-term blood pressure control with only two doses per year. This could represent a significant advantage, particularly for patients who struggle with medication adherence. Offering an alternative to daily oral therapy, this approach signals a potential paradigm shift in the management of chronic diseases.”

Prof. Dr. İbrahim Benter emphasized that biotechnological drug development is among the priority areas within the education and research strategy of the Faculty of Pharmacy at Final International University. He stressed the importance of equipping students with strong knowledge in molecular pharmacology, gene-based therapies, and RNA technologies.

SiRNA-based therapeutic approaches developed for hypertension aim not only to control symptoms but also to address the molecular foundation of the disease. In this respect, biotechnological drug candidates such as zilebesiran hold considerable potential for long-term and sustainable solutions in cardiovascular disease management.

The evaluations of Prof. Dr. İbrahim Benter indicate that biotechnological medicines may play a central role in the future of chronic disease treatment.