AstraZeneca's pill cuts cholesterol, offers convenient treatment
AstraZenca is testing a once-daily PCSK9 inhibitor, currently known as AZD0780. After 12 weeks of use alongside standard statin therapy, the pill reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or what is known as 'bad' cholesterol, by 50.7%, according to data presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session in Chicago.
Notably, 84% of patients who took the pill achieved the recommended cholesterol level, compared to just 13% of those on statins alone.
MAHA: Are Americans paying attention to RFK Jr.'s push to ban food dyes?
The pill was well-tolerated by patients in the clinical trial, with side effects comparable to those who took a placebo.
High levels of LDL cholesterol are a key risk factor in strokes and heart attacks.
AstraZeneca is competing with a similar drug from Merck, which targets the same PCSK9 protein. However, Merck's pill requires fasting for at least eight hours before use, Bloomberg reports, while AstraZeneca's doesn't.
AstraZeneca believes its drug is better suited in 'combination' with other medications.
AstraZeneca's pill could offer a more convenient and affordable alternative to PCSK9 injections like Amgen's Repatha and Regeneron's Praluent.
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