S38844

S38844 is an oral small‑molecule inhibitor of the cardiac pacemaker I_f (funny) current being developed by Servier for cardiovascular indications, particularly chronic heart failure with left ventricular systolic dysfunction. In a phase II randomized, double‑blind, placebo‑controlled trial in patients with moderate to severe chronic heart failure, repeated oral dosing of S38844 tablets (25–100 mg once daily) produced dose‑dependent reductions in resting heart rate over a 9‑week titration period, with acceptable safety and tolerability.[3] Preclinical work in a rat model of acute decompensated heart failure showed that transient heart‑rate reduction induced by S38844 (12 mg/kg orally twice daily) improved cardiac output, myocardial tissue perfusion, and coronary relaxation, with some benefits persisting beyond the dosing period.[2][9] Amgen holds an exclusive option for U.S. development and commercialization of S38844 for cardiovascular diseases under a collaboration with Servier, and the compound has been described as being in phase 2 development for heart failure.[4][5][7][10][13][16][18]