04.03.13
AstraZeneca’s MedImmune unit has acquired AlphaCore Pharma, a privately held U.S. biotechnology company developing a new type of cholesterol medicine. Financial details were not disclosed.
AlphaCore’s lead drug candidate ACP-501, a genetically engineered liver-derived enzyme called LCAT, completed Phase I trials last year. ACP-501 is being developed to help manage cholesterol to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. It could also play a role in a rare, hereditary disorder called familial LCAT deficiency in which the LCAT enzyme is absent.
"As the science in this area continues to evolve, we are committed to exploring unique pathways that could lead to new combination or standalone therapies for patients living with chronic and acute cardiovascular diseases," said MedImmune head Bahija Jallal.
AlphaCore’s lead drug candidate ACP-501, a genetically engineered liver-derived enzyme called LCAT, completed Phase I trials last year. ACP-501 is being developed to help manage cholesterol to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. It could also play a role in a rare, hereditary disorder called familial LCAT deficiency in which the LCAT enzyme is absent.
"As the science in this area continues to evolve, we are committed to exploring unique pathways that could lead to new combination or standalone therapies for patients living with chronic and acute cardiovascular diseases," said MedImmune head Bahija Jallal.