By Michael Dabaie


Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc. shares were down 5.1% to $30.07 after Pfizer Inc. and Ionis discontinued the Pfizer-led clinical development program for vupanorsen.

Vupanorsen was being evaluated for potential indications in cardiovascular risk reduction and severe hypertriglyceridemia. Pfizer made the decision after reviewing data from the Phase 2b study of vupanorsen in statin-treated participants with dyslipidemia.

Pfizer shares were down 3.3% to $52.52 in morning trading.

The study met its primary objective of a statistically significant reduction in non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol, as well as statistically significant reductions in triglycerides and angiopoietin-like 3. However, the magnitude of non-HDL-C and TG reduction observed didn't support continuation of the clinical development program for cardiovascular risk reduction or severe hypertriglyceridemia. Vupanorsen was also associated with dose-dependent increases in liver fat, and higher doses were associated with elevations in the liver enzymes alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase.


Write to Michael Dabaie at michael.dabaie@wsj.com


(END) Dow Jones Newswires

01-31-22 1105ET