The invention relates to a combination, such as a combined preparation or pharmaceutical composition, respectively, comprising the renin inhibitor of formula (I)

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

The invention especially relates to a combination, such as a combined preparation or pharmaceutical composition, respectively, comprising the renin inhibitor of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and at least one therapeutic agent selected from the group consisting of

(i) an AT 1 -receptor antagonist or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,

(ii) a HMG-Co-A reductase inhibitor or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,

(iii) an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,

(iv) an Calcium channel blocker or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,

(v) an aldosterone synthase inhibitor or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,

(vi) an aldosterone antagonist or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,

(vii) an dual angiotensin converting enzyme/neutral endopetidase (ACE/NEP) inhibitor or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,

(viii) an endothelin antagonist or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and

(ix) a diuretic or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

The term “at least one therapeutic agent” shall mean that in addition to the compound of formula (I) one or more, for example two, furthermore three, active ingredients as specified according to the present invention can be combined.

Renin inhibit the action of the natural enzyme renin. The latter passes from the kidneys into the blood where it effects the cleavage of angiotensinogen, releasing the decapeptide angiotensin I which is then cleaved in the lungs, the kidneys and other organs to form the octapeptide angiotensinogen II. The octapeptide increases blood pressure both directly by arterial vasoconstriction and indirectly by liberating from the adrenal glands the sodium-ion-retaining hormone aldosterone, accompanied by an increase in extracellular fluid volume. That increase can be attributed to the action of angiotensin II. Inhibitors of the enzymatic activity of renin bring about a reduction in the formation of angiotensin I. As a result a smaller amount of angiotensin II is produced. The reduced concentration of that active peptide hormone is the direct cause of e.g. the hypotensive effect of renin inhibitors.

The renin inhibitor of formula (I), chemically defined as 2(S),4(S),5(S),7(S)—N-(3-amino-2,2-dimethyl-3-oxopropyl)-2,7-di(1-methylethyl)-4-hydroxy-5-amino-8-[4-methoxy-3-(3-methoxy-propoxy)phenyl]-octanamide, is specifically disclosed in EP 678503A. Especially preferred is the hemi-fumarate salt thereof.

AT 1 -receptor antagonists (also called angiotensin II receptor antagonists) are understood to be those active ingredients that bind to the AT 1 -receptor subtype of angiotensin II receptor but do not result in activation of the receptor. As a consequence of the inhibition of the AT 1 receptor, these antagonists can, for example, be employed as antihypertensives or for treating congestive heart failure.

The class of AT 1 receptor antagonists comprises compounds having differing structural features, essentially preferred are the non-peptidic ones. For example, mention may be made of the compounds that are selected from the group consisting of valsartan (cf. EP 443983), losartan (cf. EP253310), candesartan (cf. 459136), eprosartan (cf. EP 403159), irbesartan (cf. EP454511), olmesartan (cf. EP 503785), tasosartan (cf. EP539086), telmisartan (cf. EP 522314), the compound with the designation E-1477 of the following formula

the compound with the designation SC-52458 of the following formula

and the compound with the designation the compound ZD-8731 of the following formula

or, in each case, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Preferred AT 1 -receptor antagonist are those agents that have been marketed, most preferred is valsartan or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

HMG-Co-A reductase inhibitors (also called β-hydroxy-β-methylglutaryl-co-enzyme-A reductase inhibitors) are understood to be those active agents that may be used to lower the lipid levels including cholesterol in blood.

The class of HMG-Co-A reductase inhibitors comprises compounds having differing structural features. For example, mention may be made of the compounds that are selected from the group consisting of atorvastatin, cerivastatin, compactin, dalvastatin, dihydrocompactin, fluindostatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, pitavastatin, mevastatin, pravastatin, rivastatin, simvastatin, and velostatin, or, in each case, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Preferred HMG-Co-A reductase inhibitors are those agents which have been marketed, most preferred is fluvastatin and pitavastatin and also atorvastatin or, in each case, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

The interruption of the enzymatic degradation of angiotensin I to angiotensin II with so-called ACE-inhibitors (also called angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors) is a successful variant for the regulation of blood pressure and thus also makes available a therapeutic method for the treatment of congestive heart failure.

The class of ACE inhibitors comprises compounds having differing structural features. For example, mention may be made of the compounds which are selected from the group consisting alacepril, benazepril, benazeprilat, captopril, ceronapril, cilazapril, delapril, enalapril, enaprilat, fosinopril, imidapril, lisinopril, moveltopril, perindopril, quinapril, ramipril, spirapril, temocapril, and trandolapril, or, in each case, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Preferred ACE inhibitors are those agents that have been marketed, most preferred are benazepril and enalapril.

The class of CCBs essentially comprises dihydropyridines (DHPs) and non-DHPs such as diltiazem-type and verapamil-type CCBs.

A CCB useful in said combination is preferably a DHP representative selected from the group consisting of amlodipine, felodipine, ryosidine, isradipine, lacidipine, nicardipine, nifedipine, niguldipine, niludipine, nimodipine, nisoldipine, nitrendipine, and nivaldipine, and is preferably a non-DHP representative selected from the group consisting of flunarizine, prenylamine, diltiazem, fendiline, gallopamil, mibefradil, anipamil, tiapamil and verapamil, and in each case, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. All these CCBs are therapeutically used, e.g. as anti-hypertensive, anti-angina pectoris or anti-arrhythmic drugs. Preferred CCBs comprise amlodipine, diltiazem, isradipine, nicardipine, nifedipine, nimodipine, nisoldipine, nitrendipine, and verapamil, or, e.g. dependent on the specific CCB, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Especially preferred as DHP is amlodipine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, especially the besylate, thereof. An especially preferred representative of non-DHPs is verapamil or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, especially the hydrochloride, thereof.

›Aldosterone synthase inhibitor is an enzyme that converts…

Aldosterone synthase inhibitor is an enzyme that converts corticosterone to aldosterone by hydroxylating cortocosterone to form 18-OH-corticosterone and 18-OH-corticosterone to aldosterone. The class of aldosterone synthase inhibitors is known to be applied for the treatment of hypertension and primary aldosteronism comprises both steroidal and non-steroidal aldosterone synthase inhibitors, the later being most preferred.

Preference is given to commercially available aldosterone synthase inhibitors or those aldosterone synthase inhibitors that have been approved by the health authorities.

The class of aldosterone synthase inhibitors comprises compounds having differing structural features. For example, mention may be made of the compounds which are selected from the group consisting of the non-steroidal aromatase inhibitors anastrozole, fadrozole (including the (+)-enantiomer thereof), as well as the steroidal aromatase inhibitor exemestane, or, in each case where applicable, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

The most preferred non-steroidal aldosterone synthase inhibitor is the (+)-enantiomer of the hydrochloride of fadrozole (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,617,307 and 4,889,861) of formula

A preferred steroidal aldosterone antagonist is eplerenone (cf. EP 122232 A) of the formula

spironolactone.

Compounds having an inhibitory effects on both angiotensin converting enzyme and neutral endopetidase, so-called dual ACE/NEP inhibitors, can be used for the treatment of cardiovascular pathologies.

A preferred dual angiotensin converting enzyme/neutral endopetidase (ACE/NEP) inhibitor is, for example, omapatrilate (cf. EP 629627), fasidotril or fasidotrilate, or Z 13752A (cf. WO 97/24342) or, if appropriable, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Endothelin (ET) is a highly potent vasoconstrictor peptided synthesized and released by the vascular endotleium. Endothelin exists in three isoforms (ET-1, ET-2 and ET-3). (ET shall mend any or all other isoforms of ET). Elevated levels of ET have been reported in plasma form patients with e.g. essential hypertension. Endothelin receptor antagonist can be used to inhibit the vasoconstrictive effects induced by ET.

A preferred endothelin antagonist is, for example, bosentan (cf. EP 526708 A), enrasentan (cf. WO 94/25013), atrasentan (cf. WO 96/06095), especially atrasentan hydrochloride, darusentan (cf. EP 785926 A), BMS 193884 (cf. EP 702012 A), sitaxentan (cf. U.S. Pat. No. 5,594,021), especially sitaxsentan sodium, YM 598 (cf. EP 882719 A), S 0139 (cf. WO 97/27314), J 104132 (cf. EP 714897 A or WO 97/37665), furthermore, tezosentan (cf. WO 96/19459), or in each case, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

A diuretic is, for example, a thiazide derivative selected from the group consisting of chlorothiazide, hydrochlorothiazide, methylclothiazide, and chlorothalidon. The most preferred is hydrochlorothiazide.

Preferred are combinations, such as a combined preparations or pharmaceutical compositions, respectively, comprising the renin inhibitor of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically accepted salt thereof and as second active agent an active agent selected from the group consisting of valsartan, fluvastatin, atorvastatin, pitavastatin, benzepril, enalapril, amlodipine, especially the besylate thereof, the (+) enantiomer of fadrozole, eplerenone, omapatrilate, Z 13752A, sitaxsentan, especially sitaxsentan sodium, darusentan and hydrochlorothiazide.

Furthermore preferred are combinations, such as a combined preparations or pharmaceutical compositions, respectively, comprising the renin inhibitor of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically accepted salt thereof and one active agent selected from the group consisting of valsartan, fluvastatin, atorvastatin, pitavastatin, benzepril, enalapril, amlodipine, especially the besylate thereof, the (+) enantiomer of fadrozole, eplerenone, omapatrilate, Z 13752A, sitaxsentan, especially sitaxsentan sodium, and darusentan, furthermore comprising as third active agent hydrochlorothiazide.

The structure of the active agents identified by generic or tradenames may be taken from the actual edition of the standard compendium “The Merck Index” or from databases, e.g. Patents International (e.g. IMS World Publications). The corresponding content thereof is hereby incorporated by reference. Any person skilled in the art is fully enabled to identify the active agents and, based on these references, likewise enabled to manufacture and test the pharmaceutical indications and properties in standard test models, both in vitro and in vivo.

The corresponding active ingredients or a pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof may also be used in form of a solvate, such as a hydrate or including other solvents, used for crystallization.

The compounds to be combined can be present as pharmaceutically acceptable salts. If these compounds have, for example, at least one basic center, they can form acid addition salts. Corresponding acid addition salts can also be formed having, if desired, an additionally present basic center. The compounds having an acid group (for example COOH) can also form salts with bases.

All the more surprising is the experimental finding that the combined administration of the renin inhibitor of formula (I) or a salt thereof with a therapeutic agent selected from the group consisting of (i) to (ix) results not only in a beneficial, especially a synergistic, therapeutic effect, but also in additional benefits resulting from the combined treatment and further surprising beneficial effects compared to a monotherapy applying only one of the pharmaceutically active compounds used in the combinations disclosed herein.

In particular, all the more surprising is the experimental finding that the combination of the present invention results not only in a beneficial, especially a synergistic, therapeutic effect but also in additional benefits resulting from combined treatment such as a surprising prolongation of efficacy, a broader variety of therapeutic treatment and surprising beneficial effects on diseases and conditions as specified hereinafter.

›It can be shown by established test models…

It can be shown by established test models and especially those test models described herein that the combination of the renin inhibitor of formula (I) with a therapeutic agent selected from the group consisting of (i) to (ix) results in a more effective prevention or preferably treatment of diseases specified in the following. In particular, it can be shown by established test models and especially those test models described herein that the combination of the present invention results in a more effective prevention or preferably treatment of diseases specified hereinafter.

If taken simultaneously, this results not only in a further enhanced beneficial, especially a synergistic, therapeutic effect, but also in additional benefits resulting from the simultaneous treatment such as a surprising prolongation of efficacy, a broader variety of therapeutic treatment and surprising beneficial effects, e.g. less increase of weight, on diseases and conditions associated with diabetes mellitus, for a number of combinations as described herein. Moreover, for a human patient, especially for elderly people, it is more convenient and easier to remember to take two tablets at the same time, e.g. before a meal, than staggered in time, i.e. according to a more complicated treatment schedule. More preferably, both active ingredients are administered as a fixed combination, i.e. as a single tablet, in all cases described herein. Taking a single tablet is even easier to handle than taking two tablets at the same time. Furthermore, the packaging can be accomplished with less effort.

The term “synergistic” as used herein means that the effect achieved with the methods and compositions of the present invention is greater than the sum of the effects that result from methods and compositions comprising the active ingredients of this invention separately.

The person skilled in the pertinent art is fully enabled to select a relevant and standard animal test model to prove the hereinbefore and hereinafter indicated therapeutic indications and beneficial effects.

The pharmaceutical activities as effected by administration of representatives of the class of AT 1 -receptor antagonists or ACE inhibitors, respectively, or of the combination of active agents used according to the present invention can be demonstrated e.g. by using corresponding pharmacological models known in the pertinent art. The person skilled in the pertinent art is fully enabled to select a relevant animal test model to prove the hereinbefore and hereinafter indicated therapeutic indications and beneficial effects.

The beneficial effects on blood pressure can, for example, be demonstrated in the test model as disclosed in R. L. Webb et al., in J. Hypertension, 16:843-852, 1998.

Methods:

The combination according to the present invention comprising the compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof can be administered by various routes of administration but are tested in this example using a continuous infusion via subcutaneously-implanted osmotic minipumps. Each agent can be tested over a wide-range of dosages to determine the optimal drug level for each agent in combination to elicit the maximal response. For these studies, it is preferred to use treatment groups consisting of at least 6 animals per group. Each study is best performed in which the effects of the combination treatment group are determined at the same time as the individual components are evaluated. Although drug effects may be observed with acute administration (such as 1 day), it is preferable to observe responses in a chronic setting as shown below in which experiments were done over a two to three week observation period. The long-term study is of sufficient duration to allow for the full development of compensatory responses to occur and therefore, the observed effect will most likely depict the actual responses of the test system representing sustained or persistent effects. The effects on blood pressure depicted below represent a synergistic antihypertensive effect when the two agents are used in combination.

Statistical Analysis:

The combination therapy can be compared to that of the monotherapy groups by determining the maximum change in blood pressure or the area under the curve (AUC) for change in blood pressure over time in each of the treatment groups. All values are represented as the group mean±SEM. Statistical significance is obtained when p<0.05. The AUC values for each of the treatment groups can be compared statistically using a one-way ANOVA followed by the appropriate post-hoc analysis, for example by performing a Tukey's test.

Results:

Blood pressure can be reduced to a similar degree using lower dosages of each of the components when given in combination than when the individual monotherapies are administered. An additional unexpected finding is that the blood pressure can be lowered to a greater extent with the combination than when the individual compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is given alone at a higher dosage.

These beneficial effects can, for example, be demonstrated in the test model as disclosed by G. Jeremic et al. in J. Cardovasc. Pharmacol. 27:347-354, 1996.

For example, the valuable potential of the combination of the present invention for the prevention and treatment of myocardial infarction (including the post-myocardial infarction indication to delay the progression to congestive heart failure) can be found using the following test model.

›Study Design · 1 of 5

In the study to be performed, permanent coronary artery occlusion (CAO) in rats is used as a model of acute myocardial infarction. The experiments are carried out with 5 treatment groups characterized by following features:

sham-operated animals CAO+vehicle CAO+compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, especially the hemi-fumarate, thereof, CAO+aldosterone synthase inhibitor CAO+compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, especially the hemi-fumarate, thereof, +aldosterone synthase inhibitor.

Following doses and routes of administration can be applied:

For the (+)-enantiomer of the hydrochloride of fadrozole

Alza osmotic minipumps 0.4 mg/kg/d.

During the study following variables are measured:

infarct size LV chamber volume interstitial and perivascular collagen density in spared LV myocardium COL-I and COL-III protein content in spared LV myocardium by Western blot cardiomyocytes cross-sectional area and length in sections of LV myocardium plasma concentrations of renin and aldosterone urine concentration of sodium, potassium and aldosterone blood pressure in conscious animals LV and carotid blood pressure in anesthetized animals.

Methodology

Infarct size: Six μm-thick transverse histological sections of the left ventricle are stained with nitroblue tetrazolium and acquired by a B/W XC-77CE CCD video camera (Sony). The resulting image is processed on a KS 300 image analysis system (Carl Zeiss Vision) using a software specifically developed (Porzio et al., 1995). A single operator blinded to treatment interactively defines the boundaries of the interventricular septum, and the infarcted area on each section is semiautomatically identified as the area of unstained ventricular tissue. The software automatically calculates for each component of the ventricular section defined as the chamber, septum, infarcted area, infarcted LV wall and viable LV wall, a set of geometric parameters (Porzio et al., 1995).

Histology: Hearts are fixed in situ, by retrograde perfusion with buffered 4% formaldehyde after arrest in diastole by i.v. injection of 0.5 M KCl. After fixation, the left ventricle (LV) and the free wall of the right ventricle are separately weighed; LV longer diameter is measured with a caliper. LV histological sections are stained with hematoxylin & eosin for qualitative examination and to quantify cardiomyocytes cross-sectional area with a semi-automated image analysis routine. Interstitial collagen deposition in LV is evaluated on Sirius red stained sections with a semi-automated image analysis routine (Masson et al., 1998).

Collagen content in LV spared myocardium: LV tissue in the spared myocardium is homogenized, subjected to PAGE-SDS electrophoresis and electroblotted onto nitrocellulose membrane. The blots are exposed to primary antibodies, i.e. rabbit anti-rat collagen type I or type III antiserum (Chemicon). The primary antibodies are recognized by secondary antibodies conjugated to alkaline phosphatase (for collagen type I) or peroxidase (collagen type III).

Left ventricular chamber volume: LV chamber volume is determined in hearts arrested in diastole (KCl) and fixed in formalin under a hydrostatic pressure equivalent to the measured LV end-diastolic pressure. A metric rod is inserted into the LV to measure LV inner length. The transverse diameters of the LV chamber are measured in two 1-mm thick transverse sections near to the base and the apex of the ventricle (Jeremic et al., 1996). The chamber volume is computed from an equation integrating transverse diameters and inner length.

Systemic and Left ventricular hemodynamics: A microtip pressure transducer (Millar SPC-320) connected to a recorder (Windograf, Gould Electronics) is inserted into the right carotid artery to record systolic and diastolic blood pressures. The pressure transducer is advanced into the LV to measure LV systolic (LVSP) and end-diastolic (LVEDP) pressures, the first derivative of LV pressure over time (+dP/dt) and heart rate.

Non-invasive blood pressure: Systolic blood pressure and heart rate are measured by the tail-cuff method (Letica LE 5002) in conscious rats.

Urine electrolytes, hormones: Rats are individually housed in metabolic cages and 24-h urine collected on 1 ml HCl 6N. Water intake is measured. Urine catecholamines are extracted on Bondelut C 18 columns (Varian), separated by HPLC (Apex-II C18, 3 μm, 50×4.5 mm analytical column, Jones Chromatography) and quantified with an electrochemical detector (Coulochem II, ESA) (Goldstein et al., 1981). Plasma and urine aldosterone, and plasma angiotensin II are determined with specific radioimmunoassays (Aldoctk-2, DiaSorin and Angiotensin II, Nichols Diagnostics). Urine sodium and potassium are measured, by flame photometry.

Sample Size

10 animals analyzable in each treatment groups are sufficient to detect biologically significant differences. Only rats with an infarct size of at least 10% of the LV section area are included in the final analysis.

Endothelial dysfunction is being acknowledged as a critical factor in vascular diseases. The endothelium plays a bimodal role as the source of various hormones or by-products with opposing effects: vasodilation and vasoconstriction, inhibition or promotion of growth, fibrinolysis or thrombogenesis, production of anti-oxidants or oxidising agents. Genetically predisposed hypertensive animals with endothelial dysfunction constitute a valid model for assessing the efficacy of a cardiovascular therapy.

Endothelial disfunction is characterized by, for example, increased oxidative stress, causing decreased nitric oxide, increased factors involved in coagulation or fibrinolysis such as plasminogen activating inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), tissue factor (TF), tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), increased adhesion molecules such as ICAM and VCAM, increased growth factors such as bFGF, TGFb, PDGF, VEGF, all factors causing cell growth inflammation and fibrosis.

The treatment e.g. of endothelial dysfunction can be demonstrated in the following pharmacological test:

›Study Design · 2 of 5

Material and Methods

Male 20-24 week-old SHR, purchased from RCC Ldt (Fullingsdorf, Switzerland), are maintained in a temperature- and light-controlled room with free access to rat chow (Nafag 9331, Gossau, Switzerland) and tap water. The experiment is performed in accordance with the NIH guidelines and approved by the Cantor, Veterinary office (Bew 161, Kantonales Veterinäramt, Liestal, Switzerland). All rats are treated with the NO synthesis inhibitor L-NAME (Sigma Chemicals) administered in drinking water (50 mg/l) for 12 weeks. The average daily dose of L-NAME calculated from the water consumed was 2.5 mg/kg/d (range 2.1-2.7).

The rats can be divided into 5 groups: group 1, control (n=40); Group 2, the compound of formula (I) in form of the hemi-fumarate (ren1; n=40); Group 3, enalapril (ena1; n=30); Group 4, a combination (ena1ren1) of enalapril and the compound of formula (I) in form of the hemi-fumarate; (n=30) and Group 5, the compound of formula (I) in form of the hemi-fumarate (ren2—higher dose; n=30). The drugs are administered in drinking fluid. The dose of enalapril is selected from the work of Sweet et al. (1987) indicating significantly increased survival in rats with healed myocardial infarction. The pressor effect of Ang II at 1 mg/kg obtained in controls normotensive rats can be reducted after treatment with the compound of formula (I) in form of the hemi-fumarate (Gervais et al. 1999).

Body weight is measured every week. Systolic blood pressure and heart rate are recorded by tail cuff plethysmography 3 and 2 weeks before starting the study and at 2 weeks after drug administration. Urine is collected over a 24 hour period from rats kept in individual (metabolic) cages the week before starting treatment and at weeks 4 and 12 for volume measurement and protein, creatinine, sodium and potassium determination using standard laboratory methods. At the same time points, blood samples are withdrawn from the retro-orbital plexus (maximum 1 ml) for creatinine, Na + and K + assays.

Ten rats from each group are sacrificed at 4 weeks for collection of kidney and heart for morphological analysis. The remaining rats are sacrificed at 12 weeks. Cardiac and kidney weight is recorded. Terminal blood sampling is performed in 5% EDTA at 4 (morphometry study) and 12 (end of the study) weeks for aldosterone, determination by radioimmunoassay using a DPC coat-a-count aldosterone-RIA kit (Bühlmann, Switzerland).

Statistical Analysis:

All data are expressed as mean±SEM. Statistical analysis is performed using a one-way ANOVA, followed by a Duncan's multiple range test and a Newman-Keuls test, 7 for comparison between the different groups. Results with a probability value of less than 0.05 are deemed statistically significant.

Results:

Even at non-blood pressure reducing doses, both the compound of formula (I) in form of the hemi-fumarate and enalapril treatment lead to significant improvements in survival rates.

The surprising observation is that, in this model, blockade of the RAS with low doses of the renin inhibitor of formula (I) and, for example, and enalapril improved survival despite persistent kidney dysfunction and high blood pressure. There is no decrease in proteinuria and no reduction of kidney lesions. Kidney and heart sections show glomeruloslerosis, fibrinoid necrosis and fibrosis. These results clearly demonstrate that survival of SHR with endothelial dysfunction is independent of the blood-pressure lowering effect of the treatment and may be related to a direct effect on the endothelium.

An improvement of regression of artherosclerosis without effecting the serum lipid levels can, for example, be demonstrated by using the animal model as disclosed by H. Kano et al. in Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 259, 414-419 (1999).

That the compounds or combinations according to the present invention can be used for the regression of a cholesterol diet-induced atherosclerosis, can be demonstrated using the test model described, e.g., by C. Jiang et al. in Br. J. Pharmacol. (1991), 104, 1033-1037.

That the compounds or combinations according to the present invention can be used for the treatment of renal failure, especially chronic renal failure, can be demonstrated using the test model described, e.g., by D. Cohen et al. in Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, 32: 87-95 (1998).

Further benefits when applying the composition of the present invention are that lower doses of the individual drugs to be combined according to the present invention can be used to reduce the dosage, for example, that the dosages need not only often be smaller but are also applied less frequently, or can be used in order to diminish the incidence of side effects. This is in accordance with the desires and requirements of the patients to be treated.

Preferably, the jointly therapeutically effective amounts of the active agents according to the combination of the present invention can be administered simultaneously or sequentially in any order, separately or in a fixed combination.

The pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention as described hereinbefore and hereinafter may be used for simultaneous use or sequential use in any order, for separate use or as a fixed combination.

Accordingly, the invention furthermore relates to a method for the prevention of, delay of progression of, treatment of a disease or condition selected from the group consisting of

(a) hypertension, congestive heart failure, renal failure, especially chronic renal failure, restenosis after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, and restenosis after coronary artery bypass surgery;

(b) atherosclerosis, insulin resistance and syndrome X, diabetes mellitus type 2, obesity, nephropathy, renal failure, e.g. chronic renal failure, hypothyroidism, survival post myocardial infarction (MI), coronary heart diseases, hypertension in the elderly, familial dyslipidemic hypertension, increase of formation of collagen, fibrosis, and remodeling following hypertension (antiproliferative effect of the combination), all these diseases or conditions associated with or without hypertension;

›Study Design · 3 of 5

(d) hyperlipidemia, hyperlipoproteinemia, atherosclerosis and hypercholesterolemia,

(e) glaucoma; furthermore

(f) isolated systolic hypertension (ISH),

(g) diabetic retinopathy, and

(h) peripheral vascular disease;

comprising administering to a warm-blooded animal, including man, in need thereof a jointly effective amount of a combination of the renin inhibitor of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof with at least one therapeutic agent selected from the group consisting of