11:32 AM EDT, 04/05/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Cytokinetics ( CYTK ) advanced in Friday trading after follow-on trial data showed the longer-term efficacy and safety of its aficamten drug candidate for treating patients with unusually thick heart muscle.

The company is slated to present the new data at a medical conference this weekend from patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a cardiovascular disease that causes heart tissue to thicken and restrict the normal flow of blood through the body. According to the company, 75% of the patients receiving either 15- or 20-milligram doses of aficamten showed "substantial and sustained" reductions in average resting left ventricular outflow tract obstruction pressure gradients after 48 weeks.

The company also reported significant improvements in a biomarker for cardiac wall stress and "statistically significant improvements" in measures of cardiac structure and function including decreases in maximum wall thickness.

Cytokinetic shares were 3.6% higher in recent trading.

Price: 71.50, Change: +2.32, Percent Change: +3.35