Amgen lipid-lowering drug meets phase three endpoints

Evolocumab, Amgen's human monoclonal antibody for the treatment of a genetic cause of high cholesterol, has performed well in a phase three trial.

Evolocumab, in combination with statins and other lipid-lowering therapies, met its primary endpoints in the trial in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia - giving reductions in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels at ten and 12 weeks.

"Data from the RUTHERFORD-2 study suggest that evolocumab, when used as an add-on therapy to existing lipid-lowering medications, may offer a new treatment option for patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia."

Sean Harper, executive vice-president of R&D, Amgen