Eli Lilly and Co (NYSE:LLY)'s experimental therapy lepodisiran reduced the harmful risk factor for lipoprotein (a) by up to 94% for up to a year with just a single dose, data from a first-in-human trial has shown.
Lipoprotein (a) is a form of cholesterol that is a genetic risk factor for a range of conditions including coronary artery disease, stroke, and thrombosis. There is currently on Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medication targeted at lipoprotein (a).
Data from the 48-patient study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association and presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2023 on Sunday.
Patients who received the highest dose of lepodisiran (608 mg) saw their blood levels of lipoprotein (a) decline rapidly and were undetectable by day 29, were unmeasurable from days 29 to 281, then rose slightly, with a medium reduction of lipoprotein (a) levels at 94% below baseline.
Lepodisiran is one of several therapies in development for lipoprotein (a) and it appears to have the longest-lasting effect, researchers say.
“If further trials show that this medication - lepodisiran - is safe and can reduce heart attacks and strokes, it would be good news for patients because it eliminates a risk factor we’ve been unable to treat,” said Dr. Steve Nissen, lead study author and chief academic officer at the Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.
“This medication could be a once-a-year injection similar to a vaccine for people with high lipoprotein (a) levels.”
Eli Lilly shares traded 1.1% higher at US$605 late morning on Monday.
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