Lipfendra (Health, Diseases and Biotechnology)
Lipfendra (Health, Diseases and Biotechnology)
Why In News:
The US FDA approved Lipfendra, developed by Merck, on 16 July 2026, making it the world's first once-daily oral PCSK9 inhibitor for lowering LDL cholesterol, an alternative to the injectable PCSK9 inhibitors that have been the standard for intensive cholesterol-lowering therapy.
Source: The Indian Express, Page 15, 23 July 2026, 'How daily cholesterol pill holds hope for those at risk'
Key Scientific Facts
PCSK9 (Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin type 9) is a protein that degrades LDL receptors in the liver; inhibiting it keeps more LDL receptors active, allowing the liver to clear more 'bad' LDL cholesterol from the blood.
Lipfendra is a macrocyclic peptide, a molecular design distinct from both traditional small-molecule pills and large injectable antibodies used in earlier PCSK9 inhibitors.
Cholesterol
It is a waxy, fat-like substance produced by the liver, essential for cell membrane formation, hormone synthesis, and the production of vitamin D and bile acids, which aid digestion.
Types: In the bloodstream, cholesterol is transported by lipoproteins-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL).
HDL (Good Cholesterol): Helps remove excess cholesterol from the blood by carrying it back to the liver for elimination. Higher HDL levels are associated with a lower risk of heart disease and stroke.
LDL (Bad Cholesterol): Constitutes the majority of cholesterol in the body. Elevated LDL levels can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Health Impact: Excess LDL can accumulate in arterial walls, leading to plaque formation (atherosclerosis).
This narrows arteries, raises the risk of blood clots, and may result in heart attacks or strokes.
It can also reduce blood and oxygen supply to organs, potentially causing kidney disease or peripheral arterial disease.
Key Facts for Prelims
Statins remain the first-line, most widely prescribed class of cholesterol-lowering drugs, working by inhibiting the liver enzyme HMG-CoA reductase.
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), caused by plaque build-up from high LDL cholesterol, remains a leading cause of death globally, including in India.