SGLT2 HYPE: New EU-funded Project Aims to Transform Hypertension Treatment
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SGLT2 HYPE – a guideline-relevant, clinical trial aiming to establish SGLT2 inhibitors as a new standard in hypertension therapy, ultimately addressing one of the leading causes of premature mortality in Germany and Europe
Lübeck, 25th March 2025 – On January 1, 2025, the European research project SGLT2 HYPE (SGLT2 inhibition for cardiovascular reduction in HYPErtension) was officially launched, receiving €6.99 million in funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme.
The project’s objective is to explore new approaches in hypertension treatment and investigate the long-term effects of the SGLT2 inhibitor Dapagliflozin on cardiovascular and kidney health. The interdisciplinary consortium brings together 17 renowned partners from 13 European countries, including leading academic institutions, health economics experts, cardiovascular societies, and patient organisations. Together, they aim to develop innovative therapeutic strategies that could significantly improve the quality of life for millions of people living with hypertension.
Prof. Ingo Eitel, Director of the Department of Internal Medicine II at UKSH, Campus Lübeck, and principal investigator of the study, emphasises: “The SGLT2 HYPE study offers a unique opportunity to generate new, evidence-based insights for hypertension treatment. It has the potential to provide millions of patients with a safer and more effective therapy.”
Hypertension: An Underestimated Health Risk
Hypertension is one of the most common causes of cardiovascular diseases, affecting over 80 million people in the EU. Older adults are particularly at risk, and despite existing treatment options, the likelihood of severe complications such as heart failure or kidney disease remains high.
A New Therapeutic Approach with SGLT2 Inhibitors
Previous studies have shown that SGLT2 inhibitors can lower blood pressure while providing protective effects for the heart and kidneys. However, it remains unclear whether these benefits translate into a long-term reduction in severe health complications. The SGLT2 HYPE study aims to fill this research gap by determining whether these medications can sustainably improve the health outcomes of people with hypertension.
Dr. Elias Rawish, coordinating investigator of the study, underscores the importance of this EU-funded trial: “We need robust scientific evidence to determine whether Dapagliflozin not only lowers blood pressure but also sustainably reduces the risk of major cardiovascular events and premature death.”
Study Design: What Will Be Investigated
The study will involve over 3000 individuals with hypertension (≥140/90 mmHg) who are at high risk of cardiovascular disease. Participants will receive either the SGLT2 inhibitor Dapagliflozin (10 mg) or, if assigned to the control group, a placebo, in addition to their standard treatment. The primary goal is to determine whether the medication can prevent serious health complications such as heart attacks, strokes, or kidney failure. Additionally, the study will assess whether patients experience an improvement in their quality of life. The trial will be conducted over seven years at 53 medical centres across Europe. Central coordination of the participating study sites will be provided by the Clinical Trials Unit at the Department of Internal Medicine II, UKSH Campus Lübeck, which is headed by Dr. Roza Saraei.
Potential Impact on Patients and Healthcare Systems
If the positive effects of SGLT2 inhibitors are confirmed, this could lead to a fundamental shift in hypertension treatment. The potential benefits include preventing over 250,000 premature deaths annually and reducing the financial burden on the EU healthcare system by up to €10 billion per year.
Project Partners*:
• ARTTIC Innovation GmbH (AI, Germany)
• Bogomolets National Medical University (BNMU, Ukraine)
• Deutsche Gesellschaft für Kardiologie (DGK, Germany)
• Deutsche Herzstiftung (DHS, Germany)
• General Practitioners Research Institute (GPRI, Netherlands)
• Instituto Investigacion Sanitaria Fundacion Jimenez Diaz (IIS-FJD, Spain)
• Institut National De La Sante Et De La Recherche Medicale (INSERM, France)
• IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Di Bologna (IRCCS AOU BO, Italy)
• Medizinische Universität Innsbruck (MUI, Austria)
• Narodowy Instytut Kardiologii Stefana Kardynala Wyszynskiego - Panstwowy InstytutBadawczy (NIKARD, Polen)
• Stiftung Institut Für Herzinfarktforschung Ludwigshafen (IHF, Germany)
• Univerzitetni Klinicni Center Ljubljana (UKCL, Slovenia)
• Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH, Germany) – Coordinator
• University of Glasgow (UoG, United Kingdom)
• Universidade Do Porto (UPORTO, Portugal)
• Viesoji Istaiga Vilniaus Universiteto Ligonine Santaros Klinikos (VULSK, Lithuania)
• Vseobecna Fakultni Nemocnice V Praze (VFNP, Czech Republic)
* Partners listed in alphabetical order
For more information, visit:
LinkedIn: SGLT2-HYPE project
Principal Investigator
Prof. Dr. med. Ingo Eitel
Director
Department of Internal Medicine II (Cardiology, Angiology, Intensive Care Medicine)
University Heart Center Lübeck (UHZL)
University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Campus Lübeck
Co-Principal Investigator
Dr. med. Elias Rawish
Head of Translational Cardiology
Department of Internal Medicine II (Cardiology, Angiology, Intensive Care Medicine)
University Heart Center Lübeck (UHZL)
University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Campus Lübeck
Clinical Trial Unit – Clinical Project Management
Dr. Roza Saraei
Head of Clinical Research
Department of Internal Medicine II (Cardiology, Angiology, Intensive Care Medicine)
University Heart Center Lübeck (UHZL)
University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Campus Lübeck
Non-Clinical Project Management
Dr. Monika Maaß
ARTTIC Innovation
Monika.Maass@arttic-innovation.de
Press Contact
Florian Riegel
ARTTIC Innovation
Florian.Riegel@arttic-innovation.de
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement number 101156555.
The information and views set out in this press release are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of the European Union. Neither the European Union institutions and bodies nor any person acting on their behalf may be held responsible for the use which may be made of the information contained therein.
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