Valsartan appears to significantly reduce the combined risk of mortality and morbidity in patients with heart failure who are also receiving standard therapy, according to the results of Val-HeFT*, a landmark clinical study presented at the 73rd Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association [New Orleans, US; November 2000]. Novartis, who sponsored the trial, says it will now file an application for valsartan ['Diovan'] in heart failure, based on the positive results of the trial.