Novartis invests in next generation therapies to reduce cardiovascular risk in patients with underlying lipid disorders

Novartis International AG / Novartis invests in next generation therapies to reduce cardiovascular risk in patients with underlying lipid disorders . Processed and transmitted by Nasdaq Corporate Solutions. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

• Novartis enters into an exclusive option agreement with Ionis and Akcea to license two investigational treatments expected to significantly reduce cardiovascular risk in patients living with elevated levels of lipoprotein Lp(a) or ApoCIII, which is a potent regulator of triglycerides
  
  
• Investment in biomarker-based therapies bolsters Novartis' cardiovascular specialty pipeline and commitment to address unmet medical need of high-risk atherosclerosis/dyslipidemia patients
  
  
• Atherosclerosis, commonly called the "silent killer", is a major cause of death globally and no options exist today to effectively treat patients whose disease is driven by Lp(a) and ApoCIII

Basel, January 06, 2017 - Novartis announced today a collaboration and option agreement with Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and its affiliate Akcea Therapeutics, Inc., to license two novel treatments with the potential to significantly reduce cardiovascular risk in patients suffering from high levels of lipoproteins known as Lp(a) and ApoCIII. The two investigational antisense therapies developed by Ionis-called AKCEA-APO(a)-L_Rx and AKCEA-APOCIII-L_Rx-have the potential to lower both lipoproteins up to 90% and significantly reduce cardiovascular risk in high-risk patient populations. In addition Novartis entered into a stock purchase agreement with Ionis.

"Novartis is building a robust cardiovascular portfolio of targeted therapies to address unmet medical need of high-risk patients," said Vasant Narasimhan, Global Head, Drug Development and Chief Medical Officer, Novartis. "Lp(a) and ApoCIII are potent, genetically validated cardiovascular risk reduction targets. The importance of predictive biomarkers in achieving successful cardiovascular outcomes will also be essential in the future payer environment. We look forward to working with Ionis and Akcea to develop both treatments."