Every second Ukrainian has increased pressure, this makes Ukraine’s participation in the SGLT2-HIPE Project extremely important.

Arterial hypertension is not only a medical, but also a social problem that takes thousands of lives every year. To find new effective treatments, the European Union has launched a large-scale clinical study, SGLT2 INHIBITION FOR CARDIOVASCULAR ENDPOINT REDUCTION IN HYPERTENSION (SGLT2-HIPE), coordinated by the Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein (Germany) within the Horizon Europe Framework Programme.

The international innovation project SGLT2-HIPE started in January 2025. The period of its implementation: 2025-2032. This is a multicentre, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial involving 5,792 patients aged 65 years and older with insufficiently controlled hypertension. Its objective – is to study new approaches to the treatment of arterial hypertension and to investigate the effectiveness of SGLT2 inhibitors in reducing cardiovascular mortality, risk of chronic kidney disease and incidence of complications related to hypertension.

In other words, the project aims to improve the treatment of hypertension and has the potential to provide millions of patients with safer and more effective treatment. The obtained results should become the basis for updating clinical protocols for the treatment of arterial hypertension in the EU.

Overall, the multidisciplinary consortium brings together 17 partners from 13 European countries, including leading academic institutions, health economics experts, cardiovascular societies and patient organisations.

Bogomolets National Medical University is a scientific partner of an international research project responsible for the selection and maintenance of clinical centers in Ukraine, as well as for the adaptation of international protocols to the National Healthcare System. The university team participates in the coordination of communication between European partners and Ukrainian researchers, ensures the dissemination of results among doctors and students of medical universities.

Why it is important for Ukraine

• Image component: participation in the project consortium within the Horizon Europe Programme demonstrates the trust of the international community in Ukrainian scientists and strengthens Ukraine’s position in the European scientific space.
• Scientific breakthrough: SGLT2-HIPE allows Ukrainian cardiologists to participate in the formation of an evidence base for new approaches in the treatment of hypertension.
• Medical and social effect: the implementation of the research results will contribute to improving the quality of life of people with cardiovascular and kidney diseases, one of the main causes of death in Ukraine.
• Development perspective: participation in the project opens access to European research infrastructures and new opportunities for financing clinical research in Ukraine.

The SGLT2-HIPE project demonstrates that Ukrainian medical institutions are not only ready to participate in international clinical research but also contribute to the creation of a new generation of therapeutic approaches that can change the practice of treating cardiovascular diseases in Europe.