Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals to Advance RNAi-based Plozasiran into Phase 3 CAPITAN Cardiovascular Outcomes Trial
Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals announced the advancement of plozasiran into the Phase 3 CAPITAN cardiovascular outcomes trial, following successful Phase 2 MUIR study results. The CAPITAN trial will enroll patients with mixed hyperlipidemia and residual atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk. The company is also continuing its pivotal Phase 3 PALISADE and SHASTA studies for plozasiran in patients with familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS) and severe hypertriglyceridemia (SHTG), respectively.
Plozasiran has shown consistent efficacy in reducing triglycerides and other atherogenic lipoproteins in trials. Arrowhead will focus its resources on plozasiran's development and may seek partners for further development of zodasiran. An R&D webinar will be held on June 25, 2024, detailing clinical data and future plans for plozasiran.
- Successful Phase 2 MUIR study results for plozasiran.
- Advancement of plozasiran into Phase 3 CAPITAN trial.
- Consistent efficacy in lowering triglycerides and other atherogenic lipoproteins.
- Ongoing pivotal Phase 3 PALISADE and SHASTA studies.
- Allocating substantial resources to develop plozasiran.
- Further development of zodasiran is contingent on finding a suitable partner.
Insights
The announcement of advancing plozasiran to Phase 3 trials indicates Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals is progressing well in its drug development pipeline, particularly for cardiometabolic diseases. This is significant because it signifies a potential new revenue stream if the drug gets approved. Phase 3 trials are costly but are critical for gaining FDA approval. Investors should note that Arrowhead is reallocating resources, hinting at a strategic focus on plozasiran over zodasiran. This could mean prioritizing a drug with higher perceived market viability or therapeutic impact.
The Phase 3 CAPITAN trial builds on promising Phase 2 results, which suggests confidence in plozasiran’s efficacy and safety profile. The substantial resource allocation to the SHASTA and CAPITAN studies indicates that Arrowhead expects strong outcomes, which can enhance the company's financial outlook if commercialized.
From an investment perspective, this news might prompt a positive short-term market reaction due to the perceived potential for future earnings. However, investors should remain cautious about the risks associated with clinical trials, including possible failures or delays. Long-term benefits depend critically on the successful completion and approval of these trials.
The advancement of plozasiran into Phase 3 trials is particularly noteworthy given the promising results from earlier phases. As an RNAi-based therapeutic, plozasiran targets the mRNA of specific proteins within the cell, potentially leading to significant and targeted reductions in triglyceride levels. This method offers a novel approach to treating mixed hyperlipidemia and associated cardiovascular diseases, which represent significant unmet medical needs.
The consistency in results across multiple studies (FCS, SHTG and mixed hyperlipidemia) underscores plozasiran’s broad potential applicability. The mention of reducing acute pancreatitis incidences (a significant complication of hypertriglyceridemia) adds to its clinical value.
From a research perspective, the focus on Phase 3 trials suggests robust safety and efficacy data from earlier phases. However, the shift of resources away from zodasiran might imply more promising data for plozasiran or better strategic fit, although it also introduces some risk by concentrating efforts.
– Based on promising results in the Phase 2 MUIR clinical study, the Phase 3 CAPITAN trial is designed to enroll patients with mixed hyperlipidemia and residual risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
– CAPITAN builds upon existing SUMMIT program of pivotal Phase 3 clinical studies of plozasiran including PALISADE in patients with familial chylomicronemia syndrome and the SHASTA studies in patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia
– Arrowhead allocating cardiometabolic development and commercial resources to plozasiran and will assess partnership options for future development of zodasiran
– Arrowhead hosting cardiometabolic R&D webinar detailing clinical data and plans to advance plozasiran today, June 25, 2024, at 11:00 am PDT as Part II of the 2024 Summer Series of R&D Webinars
“We recently announced successful topline results from the Phase 3 PALISADE study, which evaluated plozasiran in patients with FCS. The study met the primary endpoint of lowering triglycerides and met all key secondary endpoints, including reducing the incidence of acute pancreatitis, compared to placebo. Today, we are adding more context to those results and will show that plozasiran, administered once every three months, consistently maintained the median and mean triglyceride levels over the study period with low variability. These are exciting results, and we are eager to share more of these data at upcoming medical congresses,” said Bruce Given, M.D., chief medical scientist at Arrowhead. “We see plozasiran clinical data as strong and consistent across multiple studies in patients with FCS, SHTG, and mixed hyperlipidemia, and believe plozasiran has the potential to address significant unmet needs in all three patient populations. Based on this we are allocating substantial resources to the Phase 3 SHASTA studies in patients with SHTG and the newly announced Phase 3 CAPITAN study in patients with mixed hyperlipidemia and residual risk of ASCVD.
“Our second cardiometabolic program, zodasiran, achieved highly encouraging results, including decreases in triglyceride levels and robust and durable reductions in triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, remnants, and total atherogenic lipoproteins, which we believe supports further investigation in Phase 3 studies. However, based on our various assessments for both candidates, and resource allocation considerations, we have elected to broadly advance plozasiran ourselves and, at this time, will only conduct further development of zodasiran if we identify a suitable development and commercialization partner,” Dr. Given concluded.
Part II of Arrowhead’s 2024 Summer Series of R&D Webinars is being held today, June 25, 2024, at 11:00 AM PDT and will feature Arrowhead management and Christie M. Ballantyne, M.D., Baylor College of Medicine and Principal Investigator for the MUIR study of plozasiran. The live event and an archived webcast may be accessed on the Events and Presentations page in the Investors section of the Arrowhead website.
The agenda for today’s live event is listed below in Pacific Daylight Time.
| Time | Topic |
Presenter |
11:00-11:10 |
Introductions and Cardiometabolic Update |
Vince Anzalone, CFA |
11:10-11:20 |
Arrowhead’s Cardiometabolic Focus |
Bruce Given, MD |
11:20-11:35 |
The Unmet Need in Triglycerides |
Christie Ballantyne, MD, FACP, FACC |
11:35-11:50 |
Addressing the Triglyceride Spectrum of Diseases |
Jennifer Hellawell, MD |
11:50-12:00 |
Meeting the Triglyceride Challenge Beyond FCS |
Bruce Given, MD |
12:00-12:05 |
Arrowhead’s Future in Cardiometabolic Disease |
Bruce Given, MD |
12:05-12:15 |
Our Take on the Triglyceride Market |
Vince Anzalone, CFA |
12:15-12:30 |
Q&A |
Panel |
About Plozasiran
Plozasiran, previously called ARO-APOC3, is a first-in-class investigational RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutic designed to reduce production of Apolipoprotein C-III (APOC3) which is a component of triglyceride rich lipoproteins (TRLs) and a key regulator of triglyceride metabolism. APOC3 increases triglyceride levels in the blood by inhibiting breakdown of TRLs by lipoprotein lipase and uptake of TRL remnants by hepatic receptors in the liver. The goal of treatment with plozasiran is to reduce the level of APOC3, thereby reducing triglycerides and restoring lipids to more normal levels.
In multiple clinical studies, investigational plozasiran demonstrated reductions in triglycerides and multiple atherogenic lipoproteins in patients with familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS), severe hypertriglyceridemia (SHTG), and mixed hyperlipidemia. Plozasiran has demonstrated a favorable safety profile to date with treatment emergent adverse events reported that reflect the comorbidities and underlying conditions of the study populations. Plozasiran is currently being investigated in the PALISADE Phase 3 clinical study in patients with FCS, which recently completed, SHASTA-3,4,5 Phase 3 studies in patients with SHTG, and an upcoming CAPITAN Phase 3 study in patients with mixed hyperlipidemia.
Plozasiran has been granted Orphan Drug Designation and Fast Track Designation by the
About PALISADE Phase 3 Study
The PALISADE study (NCT05089084) is a Phase 3 placebo controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of plozasiran in adults with genetically confirmed or clinically diagnosed FCS. The primary endpoint of the study is percent change from baseline in fasting TG versus placebo at Month 10. A total of 75 subjects distributed across 39 different sites in 18 countries were randomized to receive 25 mg plozasiran, 50 mg plozasiran, or matching placebo once every three months. Participants who completed the randomized period were eligible to continue in a 2-part extension period, where all participants received plozasiran.
PALISADE successfully met the primary endpoint of lowering triglycerides and met all key secondary endpoints, including reducing the incidence of acute pancreatitis compared to placebo. Plozasiran demonstrated a favorable safety profile in the PALISADE study. The number of subjects reporting treatment emergent adverse events (AEs) were similar in plozasiran and placebo groups. Severe and serious AEs were less common with plozasiran than with placebo. The most common AEs reported were abdominal pain, COVID-19, nasopharyngitis, headache and nausea.
About Familial Chylomicronemia Syndrome
Familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS) is a severe and ultrarare genetic disease often caused by various monogenic mutations. FCS leads to extremely high triglyceride (TG) levels, typically over 880 mg/dL. Such severe elevations can lead to various serious signs and symptoms including acute and potentially fatal pancreatitis, chronic abdominal pain, diabetes, hepatic steatosis, and cognitive issues. Currently, the therapeutic options that can adequately treat FCS are limited.
About Severe Hypertriglyceridemia
Severe hypertriglyceridemia (SHTG) is characterized by triglyceride (TG) levels greater than 500 mg/dL3-5. Very severe forms (TG greater 880 mg/dl) include familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS) and multifactorial chylomicronemia syndrome (MCS)6-8. SHTG significantly increases the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and acute pancreatitis (AP), often with recurrent attacks requiring repeat hospital admissions and worsening outcomes3-5,8. AP risk is proportional to number, characteristics, and concentration of triglyceride rich lipoproteins (TRLs), particularly chylomicrons, and increases as TGs rise9. Limited treatment options exist to sustainably reduce TGs below the pancreatitis risk threshold3-5.
About Mixed Hyperlipidemia
Mixed hyperlipidemia, also called mixed dyslipidemia, is a highly prevalent disorder characterized by elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglyceride levels. Despite the efficacy of LDL-C-lowering therapies in reducing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk in mixed hyperlipidemia, there remains substantial residual risk attributed to elevated non-HDL driven by remnant cholesterol in triglyceride-rich lipoproteins10-13. Genome-wide association and Mendelian randomization studies also support a causal role for triglyceride rich lipoproteins in ASCVD14-17.
About Plozasiran EAP
Arrowhead is committed to bringing new investigational medicines to patients with serious diseases as quickly and efficiently as possible. The company has established an early access program (EAP) for some individuals living with FCS. As with any investigational medicine that has not been approved by regulatory authorities, investigational plozasiran may or may not be effective in treating your diagnosis or condition, and there may be risks associated with its use. If you are a patient or caregiver wishing to know more about this plozasiran EAP for FCS, please discuss this EAP and all treatment options with your treating physician. If you are a treating physician and are seeking information about the plozasiran EAP or would like to request access for a patient, please contact EAP@arrowheadpharma.com.
About Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals
Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals develops medicines that treat intractable diseases by silencing the genes that cause them. Using a broad portfolio of RNA chemistries and efficient modes of delivery, Arrowhead therapies trigger the RNA interference mechanism to induce rapid, deep, and durable knockdown of target genes. RNA interference, or RNAi, is a mechanism present in living cells that inhibits the expression of a specific gene, thereby affecting the production of a specific protein. Arrowhead’s RNAi-based therapeutics leverage this natural pathway of gene silencing.
For more information, please visit www.arrowheadpharma.com, or follow us on X (formerly Twitter) at @ArrowheadPharma or on LinkedIn. To be added to the Company's email list and receive news directly, please visit http://ir.arrowheadpharma.com/email-alerts.
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Source: Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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- Gaudet D, et al. JAMA Cardiol. Published online April 7, 2024. doi:10.1001/jamacardio.2024.0959
- Ballantyne CM, et al. N Engl J Med. Published online May 28, 2024. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2404143
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Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Vince Anzalone, CFA
626-304-3400
ir@arrowheadpharma.com
Investors:
LifeSci Advisors, LLC
Brian Ritchie
212-915-2578
britchie@lifesciadvisors.com
Media:
LifeSci Communications, LLC
Kendy Guarinoni, Ph.D.
724-910-9389
kguarinoni@lifescicomms.com
Source: Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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