Aliskiren is a potent nonpeptide direct renin inhibitor with an IC50 value of 0.6 nM. It has antihypertensive activity, decreasing plasma renin activity and inhibiting the conversion of angiotensinogen to Angiotensin I by binding to the S3 sub-pocket of renin.
Aliskiren hemifumarate (ALS) has been used to treat hypertension, alone or with other antihypertensive medications. It is suitable for oral administration. ALS regulates baseline systolic and diastolic blood pressure by blocking the catalytic activity of renin system at its rate-limiting step.