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Print Edition StoriesMonday, February 15, 2010
Idera drug candidate shows promise in treating high cholesterol
By Mass High Tech staff
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Idera Pharmaceuticals Inc. reports it has shown its drug candidate to be effective in treating high blood cholesterol and triglycerides in mice.
In a preclinical study, the company’s toll-like receptor antagonist was shown to reduce serum total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, leptin, hepatic and kidney steatosis, and body weight gain in mice fed a high-fat diet to induce hyperlipidemia, according to the company. Toll-like receptors are components of the immune system that direct immune system responses, according to the company. Patients with autoimmune diseases have an increased incidence of hyperlipidemia.
Cambridge-based Idera (Nasdaq: IDRA) is developing its drugs to treat autoimmune diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. Idera said there is evidence to suggest the toll-like recepter antagonist may be able to treat both lipidemia as well as the autoimmune diseases.
The company presented the results of its study at Advances in Molecular Mechanisms of Atherosclerosis, a Keystone Symposia conference held in Alberta, Canada.
Last month, Idera started Phase 1 clinical trials of its IMO-3100 compound, a toll-like receptor antagonist, which company officials believe can be used to treat autoimmune diseases.
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