AstraZeneca, CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Reach Exclusive Licensing Agreement to Develop Lipid-Lowering Therapy

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AstraZeneca announced that it has entered into an exclusive license agreement with CSPC Pharmaceutical Group to develop a novel, pre-clinical lipid-lowering therapy targeting lipoprotein (a) (Lp[a]), an emerging risk factor in cardiovascular disease. According to the company, the deal grants AstraZeneca access to CSPC's small molecule candidate, YS2302018, an oral Lp(a) disruptor. The therapy is in development for the treatment of dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disease, either alone or in combination with AstraZeneca’s investigational PCSK9 inhibitor, AZD0780.¹

“This asset is an important addition to our cardiovascular pipeline and could help patients to more effectively manage their dyslipidaemia and related cardiometabolic diseases. Given the scale of unmet need, with cardiovascular disease being a leading cause of death globally, advancing novel therapies that can be used alone or in combination to effectively address known risk factors and advance patient care is particularly important and a key part of our strategy,” said Sharon Barr, EVP, head, biopharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, in a press release.

AstraZeneca stated that YS2302018 could have the potential to reduce cardiovascular risk factors, such as coronary artery disease and stroke, by disrupting Lp(a) formation. The drug was first discovered by CSPC.

Under terms of the deal, CSPC is expected to receive an upfront payment of $100 million, with the potential to receive up to $1.92 billion for further development and commercialization milestones, plus tiered royalties.¹

According to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally, causing an estimated 17.9 million deaths each year. This represents 32% of all global deaths, with 85% being a result of stroke or heart attacks. Four out of five cardiovascular deaths are a result of heart attacks and strokes, and one-third of these deaths occur prematurely in people under 70 years of age.2,3 According to a report by the World Heart Federation, global deaths from cardiovascular disease increased from 12.1 million in 1990 to 20.5 million in 2021.⁴

“Lipoprotein (a) represents a very important target for dyslipidemia and implicated in multiple cardiometabolic diseases. Through this agreement with AstraZeneca and their global capabilities in clinical development and commercialization, we look forward to accelerating the development of YS2302018, a novel small molecule Lp(a) disruptor to benefit the millions of patients worldwide living with these diseases,” said Dongchen Cai, chairman of the board, CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd, in the press release.

References

1. AstraZeneca strengthens its cardiovascular pipeline with agreement for a pre-clinical novel lipid-lowering therapy. AstraZeneca. October 7, 2024. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://www.astrazeneca.com/media-centre/press-releases/2024/astrazeneca-licenses-lipid-lowering-lpa-asset.html

2. Cardiovascular diseases. WHO. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://www.who.int/health-topics/cardiovascular-diseases#tab=tab_1

3. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). WHO. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(cvds)

4. DEATHS FROM CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE SURGED 60% GLOBALLY OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS: REPORT. WHF. May 20, 2023. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://world-heart-federation.org/news/deaths-from-cardiovascular-disease-surged-60-globally-over-the-last-30-years-report/