With room for upside in PCSK9 market, Novartis’ Leqvio set for launch

With FDA’s approval of Leqvio inclisiran to lower cholesterol, Novartis is hoping that its market access and patient affordability plans, combined with the drug’s twice-yearly dosing regimen, will together result in the RNAi drug becoming a commercial success where other drugs targeting PCSK9 have fallen short of expectations. 

Leqvio prevents translation of the PCSK9 gene that would otherwise code for a protein that binds to and degrades the LDL receptors that normally degrade LDL-R, raising LDL-C. Novartis AG (SIX:NOVN; NYSE:NVS) acquired the drug in 2019 via its $9.7 billion takeout of The Medicines Co., which held its rights under a 2013 deal with Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:ALNY)...