Junshi Biosciences' ongericimab hits Phase III goals

Shanghai Junshi Biosciences (HKEX: 1877) had more positive news, this time on its monoclonal antibody (MAb) candidate ongericimab, adding to the successful trials results for its toripalimab in breast cancer last week.

Junshi announced the successful completion of two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter Phase III clinical studies evaluating the company’s product ongericimab (a recombinant humanized anti-PCSK9 monoclonal antibody) for the treatment of primary hypercholesterolemia and mixed hyperlipidemia, and both studies have met their primary endpoints.

According to the Report on Cardiovascular Health and Diseases in China (2021), in recent years, both the blood lipid levels and the prevalence of dyslipidemia of the Chinese population have been on the rise, and dyslipidemia affects up to 40.4% of adults. Dyslipidemia, specifically the increase of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), is the most important independent risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVDs). The growing prevalence of dyslipidemia underscores the urgent need for effective treatments to lower LDL-C levels, which can significantly lower the incidence of ASCVDs and the risk of death.