AstraZeneca licenses development of novel lipid-lowering therapy

AstraZeneca has secured exclusive rights to develop a novel, pre-clinical small molecule therapy targeting elevated Lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) levels. The agreement, with CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd, allows AstraZeneca to advance the development of YS2302018, an oral therapy aimed at disrupting Lp(a) formation.

Lp(a) is a form of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Elevated levels of Lp(a), alongside high LDL-cholesterol, are known risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, including coronary artery disease and stroke. The company believes this new therapy could offer additional benefits for patients with dyslipidemia.

Under the terms of the deal, AstraZeneca will pay CSPC an upfront fee of $100 million. CSPC is also eligible to receive up to $1.92 billion in further development and commercialization milestones, plus tiered royalties. AstraZeneca is also developing AZD0780, an oral small molecule PCSK9 inhibitor.

"This asset is an important addition to our cardiovascular pipeline and could help patients to more effectively manage their dyslipidemia and related cardiometabolic diseases," said Sharon Barr, Executive Vice President and Head of BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca. "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."

Cardiovascular diseases account for an estimated 2.6 million deaths worldwide annually. Despite current treatments, the global burden of dyslipidemia is rising, with many patients failing to reach their LDL-cholesterol targets. AstraZeneca aims to address this unmet need through its expanding drug development efforts.