Phosphagenics has reported the results of a pre-clinical study demonstrating that the combination of its APA-01 product candidate and atorvastatin (Lipitor) reduced serum lipids and inflammatory proteins involved in the development of atherosclerosis. 

The purpose of the study was to determine whether a combination of Lipitor and APA-01 could reduce serum lipids, inhibit atherosclerotic lesion progression and reduce proinflammatory cytokines and other biomarkers of inflammatory disease more effectively than the statin alone, according to the Melbourne, Australia-based company.

The studies were performed in ApoE mice, animals that spontaneously form atherosclerotic plaques and represent a model of human atherogenic hyperchosterolemia.

The company said it found that among the animals treated with the APA-01 and atorvastatin combination, total cholesterol levels fell by up to an additional 12% compared to those animals treated with atorvastatin alone. Total HDL-C levels increased by up to 37% in combination drug-treated animals, and the company reported that LDL-C levels were further reduced by up to 24% with the combination, as opposed to atorvastatin alone. The combination also caused a decrease of 92% in triglycerides levels compared to 72% with atorvastatin alone, Phosphagenics said.