Genzyme and Isis Announce that Mipomersen Phase 3 Study Met Primary Endpoint

25 Percent LDL-C Reduction in Very High-Risk Patient Population

26-May-2009 - USA

Genzyme Corp. and Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced that the phase 3 study of mipomersen in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (hoFH) met its primary endpoint, with a 25 percent reduction in LDL cholesterol after 26 weeks of treatment, vs. 3 percent for placebo (p<0.001). This study also met each of its three secondary endpoints of reduction in apolipoprotein B, total cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol (all p<0.001).

Although the patients were on maximally tolerated statins and other lipid-lowering therapies, their average LDL-C at baseline was greater than 400 mg/dL. The reductions observed in the study were in addition to those achieved with the patients’ existing therapeutic regimen. Full data from the study will be presented at a future medical meeting.

“These are promising results for a very high-risk patient population that is in great need of new treatment options,” said Genzyme Chief Medical Officer Richard A. Moscicki, M.D. “This is one of the largest studies of hoFH patients ever conducted, and we are very encouraged by these robust data and the emerging profile of the drug. With these results, we remain on-track with our development plan for mipomersen.”

Consistent with previous studies evaluating mipomersen, the most commonly observed adverse events were injection site reactions, flu-like symptoms and elevations in liver transaminases. Of the 34 patients treated with mipomersen, 28 completed the study. One patient discontinued due to elevations in liver transaminases.

The trial was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study that enrolled 51 hoFH patients, aged 12 and older. Seven patients were aged 12 to 17. Patients were randomized 2:1 to receive a 200 mg dose of mipomersen or placebo via weekly injections for 26 weeks. The trial was conducted at 10 sites in seven countries in North America, Europe, Asia, South America and Africa. Data from this phase 3 study of mipomersen in patients with hoFH will form the basis of Genzyme’s initial regulatory filing for marketing approval, which is anticipated in the second half of 2010.

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