21-06-2025
World-first life-changing drug for atherosclerosis cure being produced in Perth is ready for human trials
A world-first drug being developed in WA to cure a disease than can lead to strokes and heart attacks could put a major dent in the annual $14.3 billion cost of cardiovascular disease in Australia.
Atherosclerosis causes a build-up of cholesterol and other fats in the walls of the arteries, making the vessels narrower and more prone to blockage. This in turn increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, kidney failure and more.
Current treatment for atherosclerosis only controls risk factors of the disease but do not offer a cure.
The new drug, ATH01, hopes to offer that cure.
Atherid Therapeutics, founded by Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research researchers Associate Professor Juliana Hamzah and Professor Shirley Jansen, has received $750,000 in funding to accelerate the production of the drug.
Professor Hamzah invented the drug after discovering a protein that attaches to cells in the arteries, stores cholesterol and fats, and then helps clear the accumulated fats.
'ATH01 targets the root cause by breaking down a build-up of cholesterol and other lipids, offering a transformative solution,' she said.
'(It) combines two powerful molecules. One is based on a natural agent already found in the body, and the other is a 'homing' molecule that zeroes in on cholesterol and fats in the artery walls.'
Professor Jansen said the precise targeting of the drug will ensure it reaches exactly where it's needed.
'It works consistently throughout the entire arterial system, and we understand how it helps the body's cells break down the cholesterol and fatty deposits,' she said.
'If it continues to show success, it could transform the lives of millions.'
Should the drug be successfully produced in its first stage, the duo are set to receive another $750,000 in funding to continue their work.
It's been a long road for the researchers, but after 10 years they have now reached the point where they are ready to move forward towards human trials.
The potentially life-changing treatment could significantly reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease in Australia and abroad.
Across the world, more than 18 million lives are lost annually to cardiovascular disease. More than 42,000 of those are in Australia.
Each year in Australia, more than 57,000 people have heart attacks, more than 38,000 suffer strokes and more than 8000 undergo amputations.
'Our research started from nothing — an unknown, high-risk idea with many doubts about whether it was even possible to clear arteries with a medicine,' Professor Hamzah said.
'Now, we have reached the point where the drug must be manufactured to the highest standards, suitable for patient use, so we can move forward to clinical trials.
'This is an exciting milestone for a new therapy that could dramatically change lives, and it's time to push ahead.'
Harry Perkins Institute boss Professor Peter Leedman said it was an exciting time to see this 'benchmark innovation' being developed and delivered.
'We look forward to witnessing these remarkable advances in clinical research to find better ways to treat and eventually cure atherosclerosis,' he said.
