Lilly reports lasting drop in heart risk factor with new drug

US pharma major Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) has unveiled new Phase II data showing that its RNA-based therapy lepodisiran produced significant and lasting reductions in levels of lipoprotein(a), a known genetic risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Findings from the ALPACA study, presented at the American College of Cardiology’s annual scientific session and published in the New England Journal of Medicine, showed that a 400mg dose of lepodisiran reduced Lp(a) levels by an average of 93.9% over the primary analysis period of 60 to 180 days. Lower doses of 16mg and 96mg led to more modest reductions of 40.8% and 75.2%, respectively.

The investigational treatment also met secondary goals, maintaining reductions over the course of the 18-month study. The Phase III ACCLAIM-Lp(a) program is now under way to see if the therapy can reduce major cardiovascular events.