7 October 2024
AstraZeneca strengthens its
cardiovascular pipeline with agreement for a pre-clinical novel
lipid-lowering therapy
AstraZeneca has entered into an exclusive
license agreement with CSPC Pharmaceutical
Group Ltd (CSPC) to advance the development of
an early stage, novel small molecule Lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a))
disruptor that has the potential to offer additional benefits for
patients with dyslipidaemia. This asset further
strengthens the company's cardiovascular portfolio to help address
the major risk factors driving chronic cardiovascular
disease.
Under the terms of the agreement, AstraZeneca
will receive access to CSPC's pre-clinical candidate small
molecule, YS2302018, an oral Lp(a) disruptor, with the aim of
developing this as a novel lipid-lowering therapy with potential in
a range of cardiovascular disease indications alone or in
combination, including with the oral small molecule PCSK9
inhibitor, AZD0780.
YS2302018 was discovered by CSPC and has been
shown to effectively prevent the formation of Lp(a). Lp(a) is a
form of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) that plays a key role in the
transport of cholesterol in the blood stream.1 Elevated
levels of Lp(a), as well as elevated LDL-cholesterol, are known
risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including coronary artery
disease and stroke.2
Sharon Barr, Executive Vice President and Head
of BioPharmceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, said: "This asset is an
important addition to our cardiovascular pipeline and could help
patients to more effectively manage their dyslipidaemia and related
cardiometabolic diseases. Given the scale of unmet need, with
cardiovascular disease being a leading cause of death globally,
advancing novel therapies that can be used alone or in combination
to effectively address known risk factors and advance patient care
is particularly important and a key part of our
strategy."
Dongchen Cai, Chairman of the Board, CSPC
Pharmaceutical Group Ltd, said "Lipoprotein (a) represents a very
important target for dyslipidemia and implicated in multiple
cardiometabolic diseases. Through this agreement with AstraZeneca
and their global capabilities in clinical development and
commercialisation, we look forward to accelerating the development
of YS2302018, a novel small molecule Lp(a) disruptor to benefit the
millions of patients worldwide living with these
diseases."
Financial considerations
CSPC will receive an upfront payment of $100
million from AstraZeneca. CSPC is also eligible to receive up to
$1.92 billion for further development and commercialisation
milestones plus tiered royalties.
Notes
About dyslipidaemia and cardiovascular
disease
Elevated Lp(a) and LDL-c levels in plasma
are a key risk factor for cardiovascular disease and this is
estimated to cause 2.6 million deaths worldwide
annually.2,3 Despite current treatment options, the
global burden of dyslipidaemia is on the rise.4 More
than 70% of patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
(ASCVD) are still not achieving their LDL-C target, so there
remains a vast unmet need among high-risk patients for more varied
and effective treatment options.5,6
AstraZeneca is investing in a pipeline of medicines for
addressing risk factors and slowing progression to chronic
cardiovascular disease, including AZD0780, an oral small molecule
PCSK9 inhibitor under investigation for the treatment of
dyslipidaemia.7
AstraZeneca in
CVRM
Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM),
part of BioPharmaceuticals, forms one of AstraZeneca's main disease
areas and is a key growth driver for the Company. By following the
science to understand more clearly the underlying links between the
heart, kidneys, liver and pancreas, AstraZeneca is investing in a
portfolio of medicines for organ protection by slowing or stopping
disease progression, and ultimately paving the way towards
regenerative therapies. The Company's ambition is to improve and
save the lives of millions of people, by better understanding the
interconnections between CVRM diseases and targeting the mechanisms
that drive them, so we can detect, diagnose and treat people
earlier and more effectively.
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global,
science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the
discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription
medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals,
including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory
& Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca's innovative
medicines are sold in more than 125 countries and used by millions
of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow
the Company on social media @AstraZeneca
Contacts
For details on how to contact the Investor
Relations Team, please click here.
For Media contacts, click here.
References
1. Saeedi R, Frohlich J.
Lipoprotein (a), an independent cardiovascular risk
marker. Clin Diabetes
Endocrinol. 2016;2:7. Published 2016 Mar 31.
doi:10.1186/s40842-016-0024-x.
2. Vinci P, Di Girolamo FG, Panizon
E, et al. Lipoprotein(a) as a Risk Factor for Cardiovascular
Diseases: Pathophysiology and Treatment
Perspectives. Int J Environ
Res Public Health. 2023;20(18):6721. Published 2023 Sep 6.
doi:10.3390/ijerph20186721.
3. World Health Organization
(WHO) [Internet]. Raised cholesterol; [cited 2024 October 02.
Available from:
https://www.who.int/data/gho/indicator-metadata-registry/imr-details/3236.
4. Pirillo A, et al. Global
epidemiology of dyslipidaemias. Nat Rev Cardiol.
2021;18(10):689-700.
5. Cannon CP, et al. Use of
Lipid-Lowering Therapies Over 2 Years in GOULD, a Registry of
Patients With Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in the US.
JAMA Cardiol. 2021;6(9):1-9.
6. Krahenbuhl S, et al. Unmet Needs
in LDL-C Lowering: When Statins Won't Do! Drugs. 2016;76(12):1175-90.
7. Vega RB, et al. AZD0780, the
first oral small molecule PCSK9 inhibitor for the treatment
of hypercholesterolemia: Results from a randomized,
single-blind, placebo-controlled phase 1 trial European
Atherosclerosis Society Congress; May 26-29; Lyon, France
2024.
Adrian Kemp
Company Secretary
AstraZeneca PLC