DG051 was shown to reduce the production of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) in a dose-dependent manner. The results of the study confirm that DG051 shows reductions in LTB4 in patients with a history of heart attack or coronary artery disease and who were taking a variety of concomitant medications. With these results, the company has finalized the design of a Phase IIb trial for which it expects to begin enrolling patients this spring.
Kari Stefansson, CEO of deCODE, said: “DG051 offers a novel approach to preventing the leading cause of death in the industrialized world. Our gene discovery work pointed us to the branch of the leukotriene pathway producing LTB4 as a major mechanism involved in promoting inflammation in atherosclerotic plaque and thereby increasing risk of heart attack. We look forward to getting our Phase IIb trial underway, and to advancing DG051 as a new approach to treating one of the major underlying causes of heart attack.”