Isis Pharmaceuticals announced favorable results in the Phase 2 clinical trials for its drug candidate against atherosclerosis, ISIS 301012. atherosclerosis is a condition characterized by formation of plaques in the inner lining of the arteries, subsequently partially or completely blocking the blood flow.

"In Phase 2 studies, we have demonstrated that ISIS 301012 reduces all atherogenic lipids, including LDL and triglycerides, in patients with high cholesterol, which suggests that ISIS 301012 could be the first lipid lowering drug with statin-like reductions in LDL that also significantly reduces triglycerides, an additional risk factor for coronary artery disease."

ISIS 301012 is an antisense drug that inhibits the expression of a protein called apoB-100, which has been shown to play a critical role in the formation of the types of cholesterol that lead to heart disease: low density lipoprotein (LDL, also called "bad" cholesterol) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL). In addition, the drug has also been show to reduce total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in patients with high cholesterol levels.

The results of the trial were presented at the recently concluded Conference on Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology.

[Photo: Medline Plus]