Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals has recently unveiled final data from its Phase II SHASTA-2 clinical trial for plozasiran, previously recognized as ARO-APOC3. The data indicates a substantial reduction in Apolipoprotein C-III (APOC3) and triglycerides by as much as 86% and 90%, respectively. Should it secure approval, plozasiran holds potential to effectively address critical unmet needs in dyslipidemia management, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

GlobalData’s report, “Dyslipidemia: Seven-Market Drug Forecast and Market Analysis,” reveals that plozasiran, an antisense RNA-interference oligonucleotide, is expected to reach $707 million in sales in 2032.

Plozasiran selectively targets the APOC3 gene, presenting a promising therapeutic avenue for severe hypertriglyceridemia (SHTG) and associated cardiovascular risks.

APOC-3 is a protein that regulates lipid metabolism, and it plays a role in the regulation of triglyceride levels in the blood. High levels of APOC3 are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Inhibiting this protein has shown to reduce triglycerides levels, hence could be a potential therapeutic target for managing dyslipidaemia and reducing cardiovascular risk.

According to the key opinion leaders (KOLs) interviewed by GlobalData, there is an unmet need for drugs that treat severe genetic disorders, including familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS) and familial hypercholesterolemia (FH).

Dr Shireen Mohammad, Cardiovascular & Metabolic Disorders Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Currently, there are no FDA-approved therapies to treat FCS. Therefore, there is a critical unmet need for new FCS treatments that effectively lower triglyceride levels and prevent the complications associated with this disease. KOLs added that patients with SHTG have limited treatment option, therefore plozasiran addresses the significant unmet need in the treatment of dyslipidemia.”

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals announced in March 2023 that FDA had granted fast track designation for plozasiran for the significant reduction in triglycerides in adult patients with FCS. Plozasiran has shown promising results in several clinical trials with significant reductions in triglycerides and multiple atherogenic lipoproteins in patients with SHTG, FCS and mixed dyslipidemia. Based on these positive results, Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals plan Phase III SHASTA-3 and SHATA-4 to be initiated in patients with SHTG in the coming months.

Mohammad concludes: “If approved, plozasiran offers hope for the dyslipidemia drug market. According to GlobalData, plozasiran is forecasted to launch in 2026 and is a promising pipeline drug for the treatment of dyslipidemia.”