Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:IONS) today announced that topline results from the Phase 2b SOLANO study in patients with hypercholesterolemia demonstrated that 60mg of ION449 (AZD8233) administered monthly achieved a statistically significant 62.3% (p<0.001) reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels after 28 weeks compared to placebo, meeting the study's primary efficacy endpoint. ION449 was generally safe and well tolerated in this study. However, these results did not achieve pre-specified efficacy criteria and AstraZeneca has decided not to advance ION449 (AZD8233) into Phase 3 development for hypercholesterolemia. AstraZeneca is continuing to analyze the results from the SOLANO study to determine its next steps for the progr
"While the LDL-C reductions seen in high-risk hypercholesterolemia patients on maximum statin therapy were both statistically significant and robust, these results did not meet AstraZeneca's target product profile criteria to invest in a broad Phase 3 development program," said Eugene Schneider, M.D., executive vice president, chief clinical development officer at Ionis. "AstraZeneca continues to be a valued collaborator and we look forward to working with them to advance multiple important programs."