Background

Triglyceride metabolism catalyzed by the lipoprotein lipase is essential to provide and store the energy that the body requires for a homeostatic function. Triglycerides are derived from dietary fat (exogenous synthesis pathway) and are also produced endogenously by hepatocytes. Hypertriglyceridemia manifests when plasma levels of triglycerides exceed150 mg/dl. Its prevalence in Europe and North America is high, with 25% of adults having >170 mg/dl of non-fasting triglyceride levels. In addition, there are also rare genetic disorders, such as familial chylomicronemia syndrome that cause extremely high triglyceride levels >1000 mg/dl in the blood. Deviation from a homeostatic balance of triglyceride metabolism can contribute to life-threating pathologies, such as metabolic syndrome, heart attacks and strokes, which are the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. In the clinic, treatment against elevated triglycerides includes lifestyle changes and administration of fibrates combined with statins that have a moderate effect in reducing triglyceride levels. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the development of therapeutics that can be used for the long-term clinical management of elevated triglyceride levels.

Technology Overview

Researchers have developed an immunomodulatory therapeutic agent against a molecular pathway that has not been linked to triglyceride metabolism previously. In preclinical studies, treatment with the biological reduced plasma triglycerides by 50% in conditions of extreme hypertriglyceridemia(≈800mg/dL) over a period of eight weeks in both female and male mice. No adverse effects were observed and in fact the animals that received the biological developed also reduced atherosclerosis compared to control treatment.

Benefits

High efficacy in reducing triglyceride levels
long-term treatment without side effects

Novel Immunomodulatory Treatment Against Hypertriglyceridemia

Patents

IP Status