Amgen's Repatha Shows Promise in Preventing Heart Complications in High-Risk Patients
Amgen's cholesterol-lowering drug Repatha has shown promising results in a large-scale trial, potentially expanding its use. The VESALIUS-CV trial, enrolling over 12,300 high-risk patients without prior heart attack or stroke, found Repatha significantly lowered the risk of heart complications over a median of approximately 4.5 years.
Repatha, a monoclonal antibody, works by blocking PCSK9 protein to enhance LDL cholesterol clearance from the blood. The Phase III VESALIUS-CV study demonstrated its benefit in a composite endpoint including heart attack, ischemic stroke, and death from coronary heart disease. This trial builds on Repatha's initial approval in 2015 for lowering LDL cholesterol in patients with established cardiovascular disease.
Independent science writer Tristan Manalac, with a background in molecular biology, reported on the findings. He noted that Repatha's use was approved in August 2024 for lowering cholesterol in patients regardless of their cardiovascular disease history, expanding the drug's potential patient pool.
The VESALIUS-CV trial results suggest that Repatha can help prevent heart complications in high-risk patients without a history of cardiovascular disease, expanding the drug's approved use and potentially benefiting a broader range of patients.
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