Praluent is a human monoclonal antibody that inhibits the binding of PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9) to the LDL receptor and thereby increases the number of available LDL receptors on the surface of liver cells, which results in lower LDL cholesterol levels in the blood.
Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the ongoing Praluent® (alirocumab) ODYSSEY OUTCOMES trial will continue as planned, based on the recommendation of an independent Data Monitoring Committee (DMC) after it completed a second pre-specified interim analysis. The DMC will continue to monitor the ongoing safety and efficacy of Praluent as planned.
The Phase 3, multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled ODYSSEY OUTCOMES trial involves more than 18,000 patients from 57 countries. All patients who entered the trial had experienced a heart attack or unstable angina requiring hospitalization within a year of entering the trial, and were unable to control their LDL cholesterol despite receiving maximally-tolerated statins and potentially other lipid-lowering therapies. Patients receiving maximally-tolerated statin therapy were randomized to receive either Praluent 75 milligrams (mg) every two weeks or placebo. Patients on Praluent had their dose increased to 150 mg every two weeks at week 8 if their LDL cholesterol remained above 50 milligrams/deciliter (mg/dL).
