Alnylam Reports Positive KARDIA-2 Topline Study Results Demonstrating Clinically Significant Blood Pressure Reductions When Zilebesiran is Added to Standard of Care Antihypertensives
- Positive results from the KARDIA-2 Phase 2 study of zilebesiran were announced by Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
- Zilebesiran demonstrated significant reductions in systolic blood pressure when added to standard antihypertensive treatments.
- The drug showed promising safety and tolerability profiles, supporting potential biannual dosing.
- Full study results will be presented at the 2024 American College of Cardiology Annual Scientific Session.
- Alnylam and Roche initiated the KARDIA-3 Phase 2 study for patients at high cardiovascular risk with uncontrolled hypertension.
- None.
Insights
The positive outcome of the KARDIA-2 Phase 2 study for zilebesiran carries substantial implications for the field of cardiology and hypertension management. The ability of zilebesiran to achieve additional reductions in systolic blood pressure on top of standard therapies addresses a critical need for patients with uncontrolled hypertension, a condition linked with increased cardiovascular risk. Considering hypertension affects a vast number of individuals globally, the potential market for an effective adjunctive therapy is significant. This is particularly relevant as the push for personalized medicine continues, with treatments tailored to patient-specific conditions and responses.
From a medical research perspective, the biannual dosing regimen of zilebesiran represents a notable advancement in patient compliance and quality of life. Traditional antihypertensive medications typically require daily intake, which can lead to adherence issues and, consequently, suboptimal blood pressure control. The introduction of a biannual dosing option could revolutionize treatment protocols and improve outcomes. Furthermore, the safety profile of zilebesiran, as indicated by the study, is a critical aspect of its potential for widespread use. Ensuring patient safety while providing effective treatment is paramount in drug development and can significantly influence regulatory approval processes and market adoption rates.
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals' announcement regarding zilebesiran's clinical trial results is poised to impact the company's market position positively. The successful trial outcomes not only bolster the company's portfolio in RNAi therapeutics but also enhance its competitive edge in the hypertensive treatment market. Investors and stakeholders should closely monitor Alnylam's performance, as the progression of zilebesiran through the clinical pipeline could attract partnership opportunities, increase investor confidence and potentially lead to stock price appreciation.
It is essential to analyze the broader market dynamics, such as the size of the hypertensive patient population, the current treatment landscape and the competitive environment. The initiation of the KARDIA-3 Phase 2 study further underscores the company's commitment to addressing unmet medical needs in cardiovascular disease, which could lead to long-term growth prospects. As the healthcare industry emphasizes value-based care, treatments that demonstrate both efficacy and safety while reducing the frequency of dosing could be well-positioned for commercial success.
The financial implications of the KARDIA-2 study results are multifaceted. In the short term, the positive data may lead to an uptick in investor sentiment, potentially influencing Alnylam's stock valuation. The biotech and pharmaceutical sectors are highly sensitive to clinical trial outcomes, given the high costs and risks associated with drug development. In the long term, should zilebesiran successfully advance through Phase 3 trials and gain regulatory approval, it could become a significant revenue driver for Alnylam Pharmaceuticals.
Investors should consider the costs associated with the next phases of clinical development and the potential for strategic partnerships or licensing deals that could offset these expenses. Moreover, the drug's pricing strategy, market penetration rate and reimbursement landscape will be critical factors in determining its financial success. It is also prudent to consider the competitive landscape, as other companies may be developing similar therapies that could affect zilebesiran's market share and pricing power.
– Study Met the Primary Endpoint Demonstrating Clinically Significant Systolic Blood Pressure Reductions at Month 3 When Zilebesiran Was Added to a Diuretic, Calcium-Channel Blocker or Angiotensin Receptor Blocker –
– Zilebesiran Demonstrated an Encouraging Safety and Tolerability Profile When Added to Standard of Care Antihypertensives –
– Study Results Support Potential for Biannual Dosing of Zilebesiran –
– Full Study Results to Be Presented as a Late-Breaking Clinical Trial at the 2024 American College of Cardiology Annual Scientific Session on April 7 –
– Alnylam and Roche Also Announce Initiation of the KARDIA-3 Phase 2 Study in Patients at High Cardiovascular Risk with Uncontrolled Hypertension Despite Standard of Care Antihypertensive Treatments –
“We are thrilled that a single dose of zilebesiran achieved clinically significant, additional reductions in systolic blood pressure when administered to patients who are not adequately controlled with commonly prescribed antihypertensives,” said Simon Fox, Ph.D., Vice President, Zilebesiran Program Lead at Alnylam. “These KARDIA-2 results, showing durable additional levels of blood pressure reduction on top of what is achieved by standard of care first-line antihypertensives with an encouraging safety profile, reinforce our confidence in zilebesiran’s differentiated profile. We look forward to sharing the full KARDIA-2 data as a late-breaking clinical trial at the upcoming American College of Cardiology Annual Scientific Session.”
The KARDIA-2 Phase 2 study is a randomized, double-blind (DB), placebo-controlled study designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of zilebesiran, when added to standard of care antihypertensive medications, in adults with mild-to-moderate hypertension. This global, multicenter study enrolled 672 adults with hypertension. Patients who met all inclusion criteria and none of the exclusion criteria during a screening period were first randomized into three different cohorts to receive open-label therapy with olmesartan, amlodipine or indapamide as their protocol-specified background antihypertensive medication during a run-in period of at least four weeks. Following the run-in period, eligible patients were randomized 1:1 to receive 600 mg zilebesiran or placebo in addition to their protocol-specified background antihypertensive medication for six months.
The primary endpoint is the change from baseline in mean SBP at Month 3, assessed by 24-hour ABPM. Additional endpoints include the change in 24-hour mean SBP after six months of treatment assessed by ABPM, change in office SBP at Month 3 and Month 6, and change in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) measured by ABPM and office blood pressure at Month 3 and Month 6. Safety will be assessed throughout the study.
Alnylam and Roche today also announced the initiation of the global KARDIA-3 (NCT06272487) Phase 2 study, a randomized, DB, placebo-controlled, multicenter study designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of zilebesiran used as an add-on therapy in adult patients with high cardiovascular risk and uncontrolled hypertension despite treatment with two to four standard of care antihypertensive medications. Patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥45 mL/min/1.73m2 will be enrolled to cohort A, and patients with eGFR 30 to <45 mL/min/1.73m2 will be enrolled to cohort B. Patients who meet all of the inclusion and none of the exclusion criteria after the screening period will be randomized to receive 300 or 600 mg zilebesiran or placebo in cohort A on day 1, or 150, 300, or 600 mg zilebesiran or placebo in cohort B on day 1, of a 6-month DB treatment period as add-on therapy to their background antihypertensive medications. After the 6-month DB treatment period, patients will enter the 6-month safety follow-up period.
The primary endpoint is the change from baseline at Month 3 in mean seated office SBP. Additional endpoints include change from baseline at Month 3 in 24-hour mean SBP assessed by ABPM, change from baseline at Month 6 in mean seated office SBP and in 24-hour mean SBP assessed by ABPM. Safety will be assessed throughout the study.
About Zilebesiran
Zilebesiran is an investigational, subcutaneously administered RNAi therapeutic targeting angiotensinogen (AGT) in development for the treatment of hypertension in high unmet need populations. AGT is the most upstream precursor in the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS), a cascade which has a demonstrated role in blood pressure (BP) regulation and its inhibition has well-established anti-hypertensive effects. Zilebesiran inhibits the synthesis of AGT in the liver, potentially leading to durable reductions in AGT protein and ultimately, in the vasoconstrictor angiotensin (Ang) II. Zilebesiran utilizes Alnylam’s Enhanced Stabilization Chemistry Plus (ESC+) GalNAc-conjugate technology, which enables infrequent subcutaneous dosing with increased selectivity and the potential to achieve tonic blood pressure control demonstrating consistent and durable blood pressure reduction throughout a 24-hour period, sustained up to six months after a single dose of zilebesiran. The safety and efficacy of zilebesiran have not been established or evaluated by the FDA, EMA or any other health authority. Zilebesiran is being co-developed and co-commercialized by Alnylam and Roche.
About Hypertension
Uncontrolled hypertension is the chronic elevation of blood pressure (BP), defined by the 2017 ACC/AHA guidelines as ≥130 mmHg systolic blood pressure (SBP) and ≥80 mmHg diastolic blood pressure (DBP). More than one billion people worldwide live with hypertension.i Approximately one in three adults are living with hypertension worldwide, with up to
About RNAi
RNAi (RNA interference) is a natural cellular process of gene silencing that represents one of the most promising and rapidly advancing frontiers in biology and drug development today. Its discovery has been heralded as “a major scientific breakthrough that happens once every decade or so,” and was recognized with the award of the 2006 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine. By harnessing the natural biological process of RNAi occurring in our cells, a new class of medicines known as RNAi therapeutics is now a reality. Small interfering RNA (siRNA), the molecules that mediate RNAi and comprise Alnylam's RNAi therapeutic platform, function upstream of today’s medicines by potently silencing messenger RNA (mRNA) – the genetic precursors that encode for disease-causing or disease pathway proteins – thus preventing them from being made. This is a revolutionary approach with the potential to transform the care of patients with genetic and other diseases.
About Alnylam Pharmaceuticals
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ALNY) has led the translation of RNA interference (RNAi) into a whole new class of innovative medicines with the potential to transform the lives of people afflicted with rare and prevalent diseases with unmet need. Based on Nobel Prize-winning science, RNAi therapeutics represent a powerful, clinically validated approach yielding transformative medicines. Since its founding in 2002, Alnylam has led the RNAi Revolution and continues to deliver on a bold vision to turn scientific possibility into reality. Alnylam’s commercial RNAi therapeutic products are ONPATTRO® (patisiran), AMVUTTRA® (vutrisiran), GIVLAARI® (givosiran), OXLUMO® (lumasiran), and Leqvio® (inclisiran), which is being developed and commercialized by Alnylam’s partner, Novartis. Alnylam has a deep pipeline of investigational medicines, including multiple product candidates that are in late-stage development. Alnylam is executing on its “Alnylam P5x25” strategy to deliver transformative medicines in both rare and common diseases benefiting patients around the world through sustainable innovation and exceptional financial performance, resulting in a leading biotech profile. Alnylam is headquartered in
Alnylam Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements other than historical statements of fact regarding Alnylam’s expectations, beliefs, goals, plans or prospects including, without limitation, Alnylam’s views with respect to the results of the KARDIA-2 Phase 2 study of zilebesiran or the enrollment or conduct of the KARDIA-3 Phase 2 study, Alnylam’s views with respect to the potential role for zilebesiran as a novel, subcutaneously administered gene silencing approach to hypertension, its views that zilebesiran has the potential to be an effective and highly-differentiated treatment; its expectations regarding its aspiration to become a leading biotech company and the planned achievement of its “Alnylam P5x25” strategy, should be considered forward-looking statements. Actual results and future plans may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of various important risks, uncertainties and other factors, including, without limitation, risks and uncertainties relating to: Alnylam’s ability to successfully execute on its “Alnylam P5x25” strategy; Alnylam’s ability to discover and develop novel drug candidates and delivery approaches and successfully demonstrate the efficacy and safety of its product candidates; the pre-clinical and clinical results for Alnylam’s product candidates, including vutrisiran, zilebesiran, and ALN-APP; actions or advice of regulatory agencies and Alnylam’s ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval for its product candidates, including vutrisiran, as well as favorable pricing and reimbursement; successfully launching, marketing and selling Alnylam’s approved products globally; delays, interruptions or failures in the manufacture and supply of Alnylam’s product candidates or its marketed products; obtaining, maintaining and protecting intellectual property; Alnylam’s ability to successfully expand the approved indications for AMVUTTRA in the future; Alnylam’s ability to manage its growth and operating expenses through disciplined investment in operations and its ability to achieve a self-sustainable financial profile in the future without the need for future equity financing; the direct or indirect impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic or any future pandemic on Alnylam’s business, results of operations and financial condition; Alnylam’s ability to maintain strategic business collaborations; Alnylam’s dependence on third parties for the development and commercialization of certain products, including Roche, Novartis, Sanofi, Regeneron and Vir; the outcome of litigation; the risk of future government investigations; and unexpected expenditures; as well as those risks more fully discussed in the “Risk Factors” filed with Alnylam’s 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), as may be updated from time to time in Alnylam’s subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in its other SEC filings. In addition, any forward-looking statements represent Alnylam’s views only as of today and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. Alnylam explicitly disclaims any obligation, except to the extent required by law, to update any forward-looking statements.
i Hypertension. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hypertension. Published September 2019. Accessed November 2021.
ii Carey, R. M., Muntner, P., Bosworth, H. B., & Whelton, P. K. (2018). Prevention and Control of Hypertension: JACC Health Promotion Series. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 72(11), 1278–1293.
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Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Christine Regan Lindenboom
(Investors and Media)
+1-617-682-4340
Josh Brodsky
(Investors)
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Source: Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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