Two new drugs help reduce a type of 'bad' cholesterol by more than 80%

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2024-11-19 06:50

Australia; VIC

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Two Australian clinical trials have shown promising results in the fight against the artery-clogging 'bad' cholesterol known as lipoprotein(a). Some people are genetically predisposed to have high levels of lipoprotein(a), increasing their risk of heart disease, and lifestyle changes don't help. The first trial tested a drug called Zelestran, which uses a type of RNA called Small-Interfering RNA to block the production of a precursor to lipoprotein(a). This small trial involving 178 patients with cardiovascular disease found that Zerlasiran reduced the lipoprotein(a) concentration by more than 80% during 36 weeks of treatment. A second trial tested a drug called Muvalaplin, which works by stopping lipoprotein(a) from being assembled in cells. This small trial in 233 people with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or familial hypercholesterolemia, found that the drug reduced lipoprotein(a) levels by up to 85.8%.

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Research JAMA, Web page Paper 1 - Please link to the article in online versions of your report (the URL will go live after the embargo ends).

Research JAMA, Web page Paper 2 - Please link to the article in online versions of your report (the URL will go live after the embargo ends).

Journal/
conference: JAMA

Research: Link to Paper 1 | Paper 2

Organisation/s: Monash University, Cleveland Clinic, USA

Funder: Study 1 was funded by Silence Therapeutics and coordinated by Silence Therapeutics, Medpace (a contract research organization), and the Cleveland Clinic Coordinating Center for Clinical Research (C5Research). Study 2 was funded by Eli Lilly and Company, manufacturer of muvalaplin. ProScribe–Envision Pharma Group was

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