Amryt Pharma study on Lojuxta shows 'highly positive results'

A long-term study of Amryt Pharma's drug Lojuxta confirmed it can lower cholesterol levels in patients suffering from a rare genetic disorder called homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HoFH).

Amryt, a biopharmaceutical company that focus on innovative therapies for patients with rare and orphan diseases, said the study of the lomitapide drug showed a high level of performance in decreasing LDL-C (bad cholesterol levels) in the five year study.

Target levels of LDL cholesterol were achieved by 74% of those treated. 58% of those met the more stringent target of less than 70 mg/dL, recommended for those who suffer from cardiovascular disease.

Dr Dirk Blom, of the University of Cape Town, said "This long-term study confirms the efficacy of lomitapide seen in the pivotal phase III trial.

“Adding lomitapide to other lipid-lowering therapies is highly effective in sustainably reducing LDL-C levels with acceptable tolerability and no new safety signals.

“A substantial proportion of patients was able to achieve their recommended LDL-C target levels, something that before the advent of lomitapide, we thought would be impossible to achieve in this difficult to treat condition.

“Some patients were also able to discontinue or reduce the frequency of lipid apheresis - a procedure similar to renal dialysis that removes LDL-C directly from the blood."

As of BST 0820 Amryt shares had jumped up 7.13% to 23.30p