Novartis announced 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)-LRx and AKCEA-APOCIII-LRx-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.

The antisense technology inhibits synthesis by the liver of the lipoproteins, and the ligand-conjugated formulation developed by Ionis and Akcea enables the therapy to be delivered in a lower dose with better targeting and tolerability.

Source: Press release Novartis, January 6, 2017