Transcript Blocviroc - a unique treatment for HIV/AIDS

Hitetrapib – Eliminating Heart
Disease
Gillian Brazier
Development Head,
Cardiovascular Medicine
The Context
• Heart disease is the biggest killer in the
western world.
• There is a huge medical need for better
treatments for heart disease.
• A huge potential market exists for a better
medicine than exists today.
• Statins are widely used but even so people
suffer strokes and heart attacks.
Mode of Action
• Atherosclerosis is due
to build up of fatty
deposits
• Statins reduce ‘bad’
cholesterol
• Need also to increase
‘good’ cholesterol
• Hitetrapib works in
combination with a
statin
Phase II Trials
• Very good results.
• All patients had low HDL. Those on Hitetrapib
showed an increase.
• Some also on a statin additionally showed a
decrease in LDL
• Five patients experienced increased blood
pressure and were taken off the trial. No proof
that Hitetrapib caused this
Phase III Trials
• Very expensive – estimated $600 million
• 10,000 volunteers to be monitored for 3 years
• Difficult trial to design because of existing
medications
• Risks:
– Competitor’s drug failed spectacularly
– Combined therapy might not work
– There might be drug-drug interaction
Market Considerations
•
•


Need to be first to market
If so, a blockbuster within three years
Manufacture is relatively straightforward.
Need to be first to the Regulators with this
new type of therapy
 A life-saver. Good for company image
 Likely to be welcomed by health authorities
Questions