Cholesterol News & Analysis
2 articles
Market Mood
Merck's (MRK) Cholesterol Pill Lipfendra Gains FDA Approval
Merck (MRK) announced that the U.S. FDA approved Lipfendra, the first oral PCSK9 inhibitor for treating hypercholesterolemia. This approval comes as Merck's Keytruda faces patent expirations in 2028, which could lead to competition from biosimilars. Lipfendra's approval was based on late-stage trials demonstrating significant reductions in LDL cholesterol levels. Analysts suggest Lipfendra could have peak sales potential worth tens of billions of dollars. This matters for investors as Lipfendra diversifies Merck's offerings beyond oncology, potentially stabilizing revenue streams.
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Novartis (NVS) drug trials target Lp(a) for heart disease prevention
Novartis (NVS), Amgen (AMGN), and Eli Lilly (LLY) are conducting late-stage trials for drugs aimed at reducing lipoprotein(a) or Lp(a) levels to prevent heart attacks. Current experimental drugs are shown to reduce Lp(a) by over 80%. Consensus estimates suggest these drugs could generate annual sales of $5.6 billion by 2032. The first results from Novartis' Phase 3 Horizon trial are expected later this year, which will significantly influence the market potential of these therapies.
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