health
Pharma bets a little-known form of cholesterol will underpin its next blockbuster heart drugs
Novartis, Amgen and Eli Lilly are betting that slashing levels of a particularly bad form of cholesterol could deliver the next blockbusters in cardiology.
TL;DR
- Major drugmakers like Novartis, Amgen, and Eli Lilly are developing drugs to lower Lp(a), a cholesterol type linked to increased heart attack risk.
- Lp(a) is genetically determined and unlike LDL cholesterol, is not significantly influenced by lifestyle factors, leaving few treatment options.
- Experimental drugs from these companies have shown the ability to reduce Lp(a) levels by over 80% in earlier trials.
- Late-stage clinical trials are ongoing to determine if reducing Lp(a) levels will prevent heart attacks and strokes.
- Results from Novartis' Phase 3 trial are anticipated later this year, with Amgen and Lilly expecting data in subsequent years.
- Few doctors currently test for Lp(a) levels, though major cardiology organizations now recommend at least one lifetime screening for all adults.
- The potential market for successful Lp(a)-lowering drugs is estimated to be substantial, with some projections reaching billions in annual sales.