A recently-developed oral medication, known as Muvalaplin, has been shown to effectively decrease levels of Lipoprotein(a)—often denoted as Lp(a)—by up to 65%. Lp(a) is a genetically-influenced type of cholesterol associated with an increased probability of suffering heart attacks and strokes, and there is no current approved remedy specifically designed for elevated Lp(a) levels.
The new pharmaceutical marks the debut of the first-ever medical intervention for Lipoprotein(a), a largely hereditary cholesterol form that heightens the chances of cardiac events and cerebrovascular incidents.
The announcement of this monumental, pioneering medication for treating Lipoprotein(a) was made by Professor Stephen Nicholls, the Director of both the Victorian Heart Institute and the Victorian Heart Hospital at Monash University. Lp(a), genetically determined in most cases, exacerbates the likelihood of experiencing heart attacks and strokes.
Affecting approximately one-fifth of the global population, elevated levels of Lipoprotein(a)—commonly referred to as ‘LP little a’—have hitherto had no officially sanctioned treatment available in the healthcare market.
Clinical trials have shown Muvalaplin to be the inaugural oral drug designed to specifically target and reduce Lp(a) levels, achieving this by inhibiting the formation of Lp(a) within the body.
Leading this groundbreaking study and trial, Professor Stephen Nicholls presented the research findings at the European Society of Cardiology Congress held in Amsterdam, and the results have been published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
Lp(a) shares similarities with LDL cholesterol, colloquially termed ‘bad cholesterol,’ but possesses greater adhesive properties, which further escalates the risks of arterial blockages and thrombotic events.
Traditional medications aimed at reducing LDL cholesterol, such as statins, have not demonstrated effectiveness in reducing Lp(a) levels. Moreover, given its genetic nature, Lp(a) has proven to be resistant to modulation through dietary and lifestyle modifications.
Despite its discovery nearly six decades ago, there still remains an absence of universally accessible treatments for lowering elevated Lp(a) levels and mitigating associated cardiovascular risks.
For the past ten years, global medical researchers have been striving to develop a targeted approach to treating high Lp(a), but to date, advancements have primarily focused on injection-based therapies that have not yet been commercialized.
According to Professor Nicholls, healthcare professionals have been hampered by a lack of efficacious treatments specifically tailored for addressing elevated Lp(a), a recognized cardiovascular risk factor.
Muvalaplin is revolutionary in multiple respects, not just for its efficacy in lowering a previously elusive form of cholesterol, but also for its oral administration, thereby enhancing its accessibility to patients.
Essentially, Lp(a) has operated as a ‘silent killer,’ devoid of any viable treatment options, a situation that Muvalaplin promises to rectify.
Reference: “Muvalaplin, an Oral Small Molecule Inhibitor of Lipoprotein(a) Formation” authored by Stephen J. Nicholls et al., published on 28 August 2023, in JAMA. DOI: 10.1001/jama.2023.16503
The clinical trial was executed in partnership with the Cleveland Clinic and Eli Lilly, and plans are underway to progress Muvalaplin to more expansive phase clinical trials. The drug also holds potential applicability in the treatment of other vascular and valve diseases.
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Muvalaplin
What is the new drug Muvalaplin designed to treat?
Muvalaplin is an oral medication designed to treat elevated levels of Lipoprotein(a), a genetically-influenced form of cholesterol associated with an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Who led the research for this new drug?
The research was led by Professor Stephen Nicholls, the Director of both the Victorian Heart Institute and the Victorian Heart Hospital at Monash University.
How effective is Muvalaplin in treating elevated levels of Lipoprotein(a)?
Clinical trials have demonstrated that Muvalaplin effectively reduces levels of Lipoprotein(a) by up to 65%.
Are there any other treatments available for elevated levels of Lipoprotein(a)?
Prior to the development of Muvalaplin, there were no approved treatments specifically targeted at elevated levels of Lipoprotein(a).
How is Muvalaplin administered?
Muvalaplin is an oral medication, which enhances its accessibility to patients.
Where were the clinical trials conducted?
The clinical trials were undertaken in collaboration with Cleveland Clinic and Eli Lilly.
Is Muvalaplin approved for commercial use?
As of now, Muvalaplin is set for larger phase clinical trials and has not yet been approved for commercial use.
Could Muvalaplin be used for other vascular and valve diseases?
While the primary focus is on treating elevated levels of Lipoprotein(a), there are plans to investigate Muvalaplin’s potential applicability in treating other vascular and valve diseases.
Where were the results of the Muvalaplin trial published?
The results of the Muvalaplin trial were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
What makes Muvalaplin a revolutionary drug?
Muvalaplin is considered revolutionary because it offers the first-ever treatment option for a type of cholesterol that elevates the risk of cardiovascular diseases and has been largely untreatable until now.
More about Muvalaplin
- Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA)
- European Society of Cardiology Congress
- Monash University’s Victorian Heart Institute
- Cleveland Clinic Cardiovascular Research
- Eli Lilly and Company
- Information on Lipoprotein(a)
- Overview of Cardiovascular Diseases
- Clinical Trials on Cardiovascular Drugs
- Guidelines for Cholesterol Management
7 comments
Honestly didn’t know much about Lp(a) before this. But the article makes it sound pretty scary. Thank god for advances like this. Looking fwd to more updates!
Amazing stuff here. For years its been a hushed topic, a silent killer as they say. This could change how we look at cholesterol mgmt altogether!
Wow, this is groundbreaking! Finally a treatment for Lp(a). can’t wait to see it in the market. My uncle struggles with high levels, this could be a lifesaver for him.
Muvalaplin sounds promising, But I’m wondering about side effects? You know how it is with new drugs. Hope they dig into that in the larger trials.
Hats off to Prof. Nicholls and his team. Science at its best. Any idea when we’ll get this in the pharmacies?
Finally some light at the end of the tunnel! I’ve read about so many people unable to manage Lp(a) thru diet or other meds. This is game changing for sure.
this is huge, really! my dad’s been dealing with high cholesterol for years and his doctor mentioned Lp(a) as a concern. Can’t wait to tell him.