vericiguat

Vericiguat is a small molecule pharmaceutical drug classified as a soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulator. It is indicated for the reduction of risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization in adults with symptomatic chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), particularly following recent hospitalization or need for intravenous diuretics. Vericiguat works by directly stimulating sGC, an enzyme in vascular smooth muscle cells that catalyzes the synthesis of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) upon activation by nitric oxide (NO). By binding to the beta-subunit of sGC, vericiguat increases intracellular cGMP levels independently of NO availability, leading to vasodilation and improved myocardial function. The drug was developed to address impaired NO-sGC-cGMP signaling seen in heart failure. It is administered orally once daily and primarily metabolized via glucuronidation.

Brand names

Verquvo

Other names

vericiguat