Eli Lilly's Lepodisiran Cuts Lp(a) Levels by 94% in Phase 2 Trial

Eli Lilly and Company (LLY.US) has announced encouraging results from the phase 2 trial of its investigational small interfering RNA (siRNA) candidate, lepodisiran. The trial demonstrated that the highest dose of the drug reduced the levels of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], a genetic risk factor associated with heart disease, by 94%.

Lepodisiran is specifically designed to lower the production of Lp(a), which is a known genetic risk factor for heart disease. The phase 2 trial met its primary endpoint, showing that the highest tested dose (400 mg) reduced Lp(a) levels by an average of 93.9% between 60 and 180 days post-treatment. Patients receiving lower doses of 16 mg and 96 mg saw their Lp(a) levels reduced by 40.8% and 75.2%, respectively, during the same period. Some patients maintained low Lp(a) levels for nearly 1.5 years, indicating the drug's potential for sustained efficacy.

Ruth Gimeno, senior vice president of diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular metabolism research at Eli Lilly, highlighted the significance of these findings. "For a long time, there has been an unmet need to reduce the hereditary cardiovascular risk in patients with high Lp(a) levels. These results offer hope for a long-term, durable treatment option. We will continue to evaluate the potential benefits of lepodisiran in the ongoing phase 3 cardiovascular outcomes trial."

The positive results from the phase 2 trial suggest that lepodisiran could be a significant advancement in the treatment of heart disease, particularly for patients with high Lp(a) levels. The drug's ability to sustain low Lp(a) levels for an extended period is a promising indicator of its potential efficacy in reducing the risk of heart disease. The ongoing phase 3 trial will provide further insights into the drug's long-term benefits and safety profile, potentially paving the way for a new standard in cardiovascular risk management.