Biotech CSL says a clinical trial to assess the safety of a drug it is developing to reduce the high incidence of early recurrent heart attacks has generated positive results.
CSL says the trial of CSL112 met its safety objectives, showing that the drug does not cause significant changes in liver or kidney function and is well tolerated when administered after a heart attack.
The trial also confirmed that CSL112 enhanced cholesterol efflux capacity - that is, it could significantly remove cholesterol from the plaque in arteries, thereby reducing the high rate of recurrent events following a heart attack.
"We are highly encouraged by the impressive results of this clinical study demonstrating that CSL112 significantly increases cholesterol efflux capacity in patients who have suffered a heart attack, with no significant changes to liver or kidney function," said CSL Behring's Global Clinical Therapeutic Area Head, Cardiovascular, Larry Deckelbaum.
The next trial of CSL112 will determine whether increasing cholesterol efflux capacity translates into improved cardiovascular outcomes.
About one in five people who experience a heart attack have another one within a year, mostly within the first month.
By rapidly removing cholesterol from plaque following a heart attack, CSL112 may help stabilise dangerous lesions in the arteries that could cause another heart attack.
Shares in CSL were 87 cents lower at $100.58 at 1051 AEDT on Wednesday.
