Less than a year after sealing a development deal with Bristol-Myers Squibb, Isis Pharmaceuticals has pinpointed a PSK9 compound developed via its antisense technology that looks most promising for cholesterol reduction.

Carlsbad, Calif.-based Isis said April 8 it has identified a candidate that selectively inhibits proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9, linked with high levels of LDL-cholesterol in the blood. In animal studies, antisense compounds boosted LDL-cholesterol receptors, with lipid-lowering effects.

The discovery marks a $2 million milestone in a deal announced last year with Bristol, of New York (¹ Also see "Bristol-Myers Squibb Licenses Cardiovascular Antisense Target From Isis" - Pink Sheet, 9 May, 2007.).

In the deal worth up to $200 million, the duo is developing antisense drugs for cardiovascular disease. Last year the firms said identification of a lead LDL drug among many potential compounds would mark the first achievement of the partnership.

Isis has performed well of late thanks to licensing deals that helped the company slash its net operating loss by 50 percent in 2007 (² Also see "Isis Fourth Quarter Strong, Antisense Rising" - Pink Sheet, 14 March, 2008.).

Along with Bristol, the company has forged partnerships with other companies, such as Cambridge, Mass.-based Genzyme, which bought rights to the lipid-lowering compound mipomersen in January ³ Also see "Genzyme, Isis Partner On Lipid Lowering Treatment Based On Antisense Technology" - Pink Sheet, 7 January, 2008.).

Isis says its two biggest priorities have been meeting the PSK9 milestone with Bristol and moving mipomersen into Phase III.

The company declined to comment on other potential areas of development, such as HDL-raising compounds, which are attracting more attention from pharma. However, Isis is not "limiting itself to LDL cholesterol," the firm said.

-Emily Hayes (e.hayes@elsevier.com)

Isis Hits LDL Milestone In Bristol-Myers Squibb Deal

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