VIRxSYS is investigating a highly innovative approach to raise the plasma levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL, also known as the “good cholesterol”). The major protein component of HDL is apoA-I which is normally produced in liver cells known as hepatocytes. apoA-I is a 28 kDa, 243 amino acid protein. HDL has many anti-atherogenic effects, the most important being reverse cholesterol transport, effluxing cholesterol from arterial walls. HDL levels represent one of the best predictor of atherosclerosis risk. Epidemiologic data show that an increase of 1 mg/dl in plasma HDL represents a 2-3% decrease in risk of cardiovascular disease.
HDL therapy is potentially one of the largest markets in cardiovascular medicine.
Statins ($25B sales/year) have been shown to reduce the risk of second cardiovascular events by 35-40%. HDL therapeutics would be non-competitive with statins. The stent market has been estimated to be $20B worldwide.
In animal studies published earlier this year, VIRxSYS scientists, in collaboration with the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health, significantly increased the plasma levels of both apoA-I in laboratory animals.