Isis cardio drug looks extra effective

ISIS 301012, a second-generation antisense drug, inhibits apoB-100, a protein critical to the synthesis and transport of the “bad” cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), involved in heart disease. Lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels is a key component to the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease.

As previously reported, healthy volunteers with elevated cholesterol, who were treated with an average of 350 mg/week of ISIS 301012 for one month, achieved a median reduction of 60% in apoB-100 and median reduction of 54% in LDL-C.

Importantly, ISIS 301012 also achieved a median reduction of 46% in serum triglycerides (stored fat). These data are consistent with observations in other clinical studies conducted with ISIS 301012.

“Adding the reduction of triglycerides to the already strong profile of ISIS 301012 continues to enhance its potential value in treating patients with cardiovascular disease,” said Dr Mark Wedel, senior vice president of development and chief medical officer of Isis Pharmaceuticals. “These results suggest that ISIS 301012 could be the first new lipid lowering drug with statin-like reductions in LDL-C that also significantly reduces triglyceride levels.”

Phase II trials of ISIS 301012 are currently being conducted in patients with high cholesterol to find an optimal dose and frequency of dosing. Isis is also conducting a phase II trial of ISIS 301012 in combination with statin therapy in patients with high cholesterol, and a study of ISIS 301012 in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia.