Akcea Therapeutics, Inc. announced the initiation of a Phase 2b clinical study of AKCEA-APOCIII-LRx in patients with hypertriglyceridemia and established cardiovascular disease (CVD). The study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of different doses and dosing frequencies of AKCEA-APOCIII-LRx in this patient population and provide valuable information for a potential Phase 3 cardiovascular outcomes study. AKCEA-APOCIII-LRx is part of a strategic collaboration with Novartis to develop and co-commercialize AKCEA-APO(a)-LRx and AKCEA-APOCIII-LRx. Under the terms of the collaboration, if Novartis exercises its option after successful completion of the Phase 2 study, it will be responsible for a global Phase 3 cardiovascular outcome study as well as worldwide development and, if approved, global co-commercialization activities.