By Adriano Marchese
Eli Lilly said it received positive results from its phase 1b clinical trials for its experimental gene editing treatment for high cholesterol.
The pharmaceutical company said Monday that a single infusion of the therapy called Verve-102 reduced PCSK9 protein levels by up to 88% and lowered LDL cholesterol by as much as 62% in a phase 1b study of adults with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, or premature coronary artery disease.
The treatment uses in vivo base editing to effectively turn off the PCSK9 gene in the liver, mimicking naturally occurring genetic variants that protect against heart disease. The Food and Drug Administration has granted fast-track designation to the treatment.
Eli Lilly said that results were sustained for as long as 18 months, and no treatment-related serious adverse events were reported.
The company plans to start a phase 2 clinical study of Verve-102 by the end of the year.
Write to Adriano Marchese at adriano.marchese@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
May 25, 2026 09:24 ET (13:24 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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