Amgen’s Repatha shown to help reduce need for apheresis

Amgen has announced new clinical trial data that further demonstrates the benefits of its cholesterol-lowering therapy Repatha.

Positive top-line results from the phase III trial showed how Repatha can help patients who are receiving apheresis to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) to reduce their need for apheresis-based therapy. 

Apheresis is an invasive procedure similar to dialysis, using a machine to remove LDL-C from the blood. The process can be time-consuming and burdensome, with weekly or bi-weekly treatments taking between one to three hours.

The study also met its secondary endpoints of percentage change from baseline to week four in LDL-C, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and total cholesterol to HDL-C ratio.

Dr Sean Harper, executive vice-president of research and development at Amgen, said: "Patients who require apheresis to help control their LDL-C have limited treatment options and face the daunting challenge of frequent, invasive and costly procedures. This positive data suggests patients may have an alternative option to help them manage their cholesterol."

This comes after the European Commission recently granted regulatory approval for a new 420 mg single-dose delivery option of Repatha.

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