According to Zhidao Finance APP, on November 18, Eli Lilly (LLY.US) announced the results of a Phase II study of muvalaplin, a selective inhibitor of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], taken orally once daily. The study showed that muvalaplin significantly reduced elevated Lp(a) levels in adults, achieving the primary endpoint (percentage change in Lp(a) from baseline to week 12). In the 12-week study, muvalaplin (10mg, 60mg, and 240mg) could significantly reduce Lp(a) levels compared to placebo. Using the complete Lp(a) assay, the adjusted reduction rate compared to placebo was as high as 85.8%, and using the apo(a) assay, it was as high as 70.0%.

Eli Lilly is evaluating a potent, multi-valent small molecule drug called muvalaplin, which inhibits the formation of Lp(a) by blocking the initial interaction between apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)] and apolipoprotein B (apoB). In the United States, approximately 20% of people, or about 63 million individuals, have elevated Lp(a) levels. Elevated Lp(a) levels can double or even triple the risk of heart attacks and are associated with other cardiovascular issues. Specifically, using the complete Lp(a) assay, reduction rates were 47.6% (10mg), 81.7% (60mg), and 85.8% (240mg); using the apo(a) assay, reduction rates were 40.4% (10mg), 70.0% (60mg), and 68.9% (240mg).

"High levels of Lp(a) have been shown to be an important risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, affecting over a billion adults worldwide," said Stephen J. Nicholls, Director of the Victoria Heart Institute and Research Institute, and Professor of Cardiology at Monash University, Australia. "Current cholesterol-lowering therapies are not approved for reducing Lp(a) levels, highlighting the unmet needs of patients with cardiovascular diseases. These data represent the necessary scientific progress that could potentially reduce the risk of heart attacks or strokes and other cardiovascular events with a once-daily pill."