&NA;TAK 044, an endothelin-A (ET-A) and -B antagonist, is in phase II clinical trials with Takeda in Japan for acute myocardial infarction (MI) and ischaemic hepatic dysfunction following surgery. It is also in phase II trials in the US for MI and is in phase I clinical trials in the UK for the treatment of MI. TAK 044 was also in phase I clinical trials in the UK, and under clinical investigation in other countries in Europe for the treatment of hypertension. However, there is no recent data reported for this indication. In addition, TAK 044 is in phase II trials for acute renal failure and subarachnoid haemorrhage in Europe. Preclinical investigation of TAK 044 in congestive heart failure has been reported from the Shiga University of Medical Science in Japan.