Another RNA-based drug, zodasiran, helps lower cholesterol in people with naturally high levels

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Australia; International; VIC; WA
Image by Shameer Pk from Pixabay
Image by Shameer Pk from Pixabay

The drug zodasiran can help lower cholesterol and other blood fat levels in people with genetically high levels in their blood, according to Australian and international research. The drug is an RNA interference drug which uses small pieces of RNA that bind to RNA that is naturally in the body and code for a specific protein, by binding to that RNA the drug stops it from being able to make the protein, in this case, a protein called Angiopoietin-like 3. The researchers found that quarterly injections of the drug were able to further lower cholesterol levels in people already taking cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins).  The researchers say the overall safety and efficacy profile of zodasiran supports its use in further studies. A second study on a similar drug which acts on a different protein is also being published by the same journal with a different embargo time.

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Research Massachusetts Medical Society, Web page Please link to the article in online versions of your report (the URL will go live after the embargo ends).
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conference:
New England Journal of Medicine
Research:Paper
Organisation/s: Monash University, The University of Western Australia, Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital, USA
Funder: Supported by Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals
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