Repatha reduces need for LDL-C apheresis, study shows

US biotech Amgen (Nasdaq: AMGN) has announced positive top-line results from a Phase III study evaluating its cholesterol-lowering drug Repatha (evolocumab) in patients who were receiving apheresis to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C).

The study met its primary endpoint, demonstrating that treatment with Repatha significantly reduced the need for LDL-C apheresis in adult patients, as measured at the end of the randomized period.

Apheresis is an invasive procedure similar to dialysis, in which a special machine removes LDL-C from a patient's plasma. The process can be time-consuming and burdensome for patients, as the weekly or bi-weekly treatments can take up to three hours. Many patients also travel long distances for treatment as there are only approximately 60 apheresis centers in the USA.