Gilead Sciences has reportedly called time on the diuretic cicletanine after it failed to hit targets in a mid-stage trial assessing its potential in high blood pressure.

The Phase II, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter, dose-ranging study was looking at the efficacy, safety and tolerability of cicletanine compared with placebo in subjects with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

However, it failed to reach the primary endpoint - the change from baseline in six minutes of walking after 12 weeks of treatment - and has been listed as 'discontinued' on the clinicaltrials.gov website.

Consequently, Gilead is discontinuing its development of the drug, reports Dow Jones. 

The biotech snapped up cicletanine - which was developed by French drugmaker Ipsen - for an upfront payment of $10.9 million from Navitas Assets back in 2008.

Italian drugmaker Recordati sells cicletanine for hypertension in France under the brand name Tenstaten.