Daiichi Sankyo has announced the results of two pooled analyses from four Phase III clinical trials of bempedoic acid, evaluating the drug in haemoglobin and cholesterol reduction.
In a presentation at the American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions in Philadelphia, the company highlighted that the treatment reduced haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) by 0.19% compared to placebo at 12 weeks, as well as causing patients to have fewer instances of new-onset diabetes as well as hyperglycaemia than those on placebo.
In addition to the results, the drug did not have an adverse impact on glycaemic control in patients with and without diabetes when added to a stable background of lipid lowering therapy.
Another analysis found that in the four Phase III studies, it significantly lowered low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in patients with hypercholesterolaemia when added on to maximally tolerated statin therapy, and reduced LDL-C by 25% in those not on statin background therapy.
The news is good for patients, as “Many high- and very high-risk hypercholesterolaemia patients are also trying to keep their blood glucose under control, as they may already have diabetes or be at risk of developing it.” Explained Wolfgang Zierhut, head of antithrombotic and cardiovascular medical affairs.
“Evidence has shown that some lipid-lowering treatments can increase the risk of diabetes and so it is encouraging to see that bempedoic acid is lowering cholesterol on top of existing treatments with the potential of not negatively affecting glycaemic control.”
The drug is being developed as a cost-effective, convenient, once-daily, oral add-on treatment for people with hypercholesterolaemia who are unable to reach LDL-C goals after optimised oral lipid lowering therapies and remain at high risk of a cardiovascular event such as a heart attack or stroke.
In a presentation at the American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions in Philadelphia, the company highlighted that the treatment reduced haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) by 0.19% compared to placebo at 12 weeks, as well as causing patients to have fewer instances of new-onset diabetes as well as hyperglycaemia than those on placebo.
In addition to the results, the drug did not have an adverse impact on glycaemic control in patients with and without diabetes when added to a stable background of lipid lowering therapy.
Another analysis found that in the four Phase III studies, it significantly lowered low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in patients with hypercholesterolaemia when added on to maximally tolerated statin therapy, and reduced LDL-C by 25% in those not on statin background therapy.
The news is good for patients, as “Many high- and very high-risk hypercholesterolaemia patients are also trying to keep their blood glucose under control, as they may already have diabetes or be at risk of developing it.” Explained Wolfgang Zierhut, head of antithrombotic and cardiovascular medical affairs.
“Evidence has shown that some lipid-lowering treatments can increase the risk of diabetes and so it is encouraging to see that bempedoic acid is lowering cholesterol on top of existing treatments with the potential of not negatively affecting glycaemic control.”
The drug is being developed as a cost-effective, convenient, once-daily, oral add-on treatment for people with hypercholesterolaemia who are unable to reach LDL-C goals after optimised oral lipid lowering therapies and remain at high risk of a cardiovascular event such as a heart attack or stroke.
