Lepodisiran Injection Lowers Lipoprotein(a) by 94%

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Lepodisiran is an experimental drug being developed by Eli Lilly that reduces lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels, a major genetic risk factor for cardiovascular diseases

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In a midstage trial involving 141 patients, a 400 mg single dose of lepodisiran reduced Lp(a) levels by an average 93.9% over 6 months

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A second 400 mg dose after the 6-month period brought down Lp(a) levels by nearly 95%

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Lipoprotein(a) is one type of cholesterol that contributes to heart attacks, stroke, and narrowing of the aortic valve and affects about 1.4 billion people around the globe

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Unlike LDL cholesterol, which can be reduced with lifestyle modification and drugs, elevated blood levels of Lp(a) are mostly genetically determined

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Indeed, no treatment approved specifically to target elevated Lp(a) levels exists; hence, lepodisiran may be a true game changer

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No serious adverse events related to lepodisiran emerged in this trial, implying an indication for its safety

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The findings were presented at the American College of Cardiology meeting and published in The New England Journal of Medicine

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Dr. Steven Nissen, an eminent cardiologist, spoke of the potential of the drug to treat a major cardiovascular risk factor that has been very difficult to deal with

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New studies are needed to ascertain the long-term safety and efficacy of lepodisiran before it can be widely used.

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If these findings from future studies are confirmed, lepodisiran could become the first drug approved to target Lp(a), eventually lowering the risk of heart attacks and strokes

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The development of lepodisiran could be a significant milestone in the arena of cardiovascular medicine and will provide hope for at-risk individuals

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