Verve Therapeutics announced that its Phase Ib trial showed significant reductions in bad cholesterol, setting up a showdown with Novartis’ Leqvio and other PCSK9 inhibitors. The therapy, VERVE-102, targets the PCSK9 gene specifically in the liver to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels.
The results demonstrated dose-dependent reductions in LDL-C, with the lowest dose yielding a 21% average reduction and the highest dose leading to a 53% reduction. This compares favorably to Novartis’ Leqvio, which elicits a 39.7% LDL-C lowering for HeFH patients. Verve’s therapy is also notable for being a one-time treatment, unlike Leqvio’s twice-yearly dosing.
The trial showed no serious adverse effects, dose-limiting toxicities, or cardiovascular events. Analysts praised the safety profile and therapeutic index of VERVE-102. This positive outcome comes after Verve recently halted development of another PCSK9 gene editor due to safety concerns.
VERVE-102’s development is now set to proceed with Eli Lilly opting-in for phase II trials, marking a significant move in the company’s efforts to treat heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. The results position Verve as a major player in the PCSK9 inhibitor market, where it will face competition from other treatments like Merck’s MK-0616 and AstraZeneca’s AZD0780.
Source: https://www.biospace.com/drug-development/verves-base-editor-numerically-beats-other-cholesterol-lowering-drugs