Drugmakers Develop Gene-Silencing Lp(a) Treatments, Cutting Levels 80-90% in Early Trials
Updated
Updated · SciTechDaily · May 13
Drugmakers Develop Gene-Silencing Lp(a) Treatments, Cutting Levels 80-90% in Early Trials
3 articles · Updated · SciTechDaily · May 13
Early clinical trials show gene-silencing drugs from companies including Novartis, Amgen and Eli Lilly can cut lipoprotein(a) by 80-90%, far beyond current options.
Lp(a) is a genetically driven cholesterol particle linked to heart attacks, strokes and aortic valve disease, yet it is not part of standard cholesterol panels and is often missed.
Existing therapies offer limited help: lifestyle changes barely affect Lp(a), statins generally do not lower it, and PCSK9 inhibitors typically reduce it by only 15-30%.
Upcoming outcome trials will test whether those sharp Lp(a) reductions also prevent cardiovascular events, a result that could reshape risk screening and treatment for genetically driven heart disease.
As trial results for a 'gene silencing' drug loom, will we finally conquer this inherited heart threat?
A genetic fix for heart disease is on the horizon, but who will be able to afford it?
The 80% Solution: How Next-Generation Lp(a)-Lowering Therapies Could Transform Cardiovascular Risk by 2026
Overview
Mid-2026 is a turning point for therapies targeting lipoprotein(a), a major cardiovascular risk factor that current treatments cannot lower. The medical community is eagerly awaiting results from pivotal Phase 3 trials, especially the HORIZON study for pelacarsen. These trials will show if the large reductions in Lp(a) seen with new drugs actually lead to better patient outcomes. If successful, this could lead to regulatory approvals and a new era in cardiovascular care, offering hope for patients with high Lp(a) who previously had no effective treatment options.