Latest news with #cardiovascularDisease
Medscape
10-07-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Lipoprotein Exposure Before 40 Predicts Future Heart Risk
TOPLINE: For adults younger than 40 years, higher cumulative exposure to atherogenic lipoprotein particles — apolipoprotein B, low-density lipoprotein particles, and triglyceride-rich lipoprotein particles — was associated with a significant increase in the risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) after 40 years of age. METHODOLOGY: Researchers analyzed prospective data from a population-based cohort study of US adults (n = 5115; 55% women) to examine whether exposure to atherogenic lipoprotein particles during early adulthood was linked to ASCVD in midlife. They evaluated the levels of atherogenic lipoprotein particles — apolipoprotein B, low-density lipoprotein particles, and triglyceride-rich lipoprotein particles — in 4366 participants aged 18-40 years to calculate the cumulative exposure over 22 years. ASCVD events — fatal and nonfatal myocardial infarction and stroke — occurring after age 40 were tracked over a mean follow-up of 19.3 years. TAKEAWAY: Each SD increase in cumulative exposure to atherogenic lipoprotein particles was associated with a 28%-30% higher risk for ASCVD after age 40; adjusted hazard ratios were 1.30 (95% CI, 1.15-1.46) for apolipoprotein B, 1.28 (95% CI, 1.13-1.44) for low-density lipoprotein particles, and 1.28 (95% CI, 1.13-1.45) for triglyceride-rich lipoprotein particles. The risk for ASCVD increased notably when usual exposure exceeded 75 mg/dL/y for apolipoprotein B, 1000 nmol/L/y for low-density lipoprotein particles, and 135 nmol/L/y for triglyceride-rich lipoprotein particles. The risk for ASCVD after age 40 was generally linear when each atherogenic lipoprotein particle was examined separately. IN PRACTICE: 'Data presented from the current analysis from one US-based cohort study of young adults offer potential clinical thresholds, rather than definitive cutoff values for clinical practice,' the researchers of the study noted. 'While clinical validation is needed, these values could serve as reasonable targets for untreated young adults, and achieving them may require both individual-level interventions — such as lifestyle modification and pharmacotherapy — as well as policy-level strategies, including subsidies for nutritious foods and public health initiatives to promote physical activity,' they added. SOURCE: This study was led by Alexander R. Zheutlin, MD, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago. It was published online on July 4, 2025, in the European Heart Journal. LIMITATIONS: Many clinical practices lacked the ability to measure specific subfractions of lipoprotein particles. Children were not included in this study, despite evidence of childhood exposure to lipid particles predicting heart disease risk in adult life. This study was not sufficiently powered to stratify risks based on race and gender. DISCLOSURES: The original cohort study was supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in collaboration with the University of Alabama, Northwestern University, University of Minnesota, and Kaiser Foundation Research Institute. One author reported receiving funding from the National Institutes of Health and personal fees from 3M. This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.
Medscape
08-07-2025
- Health
- Medscape
BP in Early 40s Signals Arterial Stiffness Risk in Women
TOPLINE: Women aged around 42 years with elevated blood pressure (BP) or hypertension faced a substantially higher risk for increased arterial stiffness nearly three decades later — a pattern not seen in men of the same age. METHODOLOGY: Researchers investigated whether sex influenced the association between BP in early midlife and arterial stiffness in later life. They included 1127 women and 938 men with a mean age of 42 years and categorised them as those having non-elevated BP (< 120/70 mm Hg), elevated BP (120-139/70-89 mm Hg), and hypertension (≥ 140/90 mm Hg) at baseline. Arterial stiffness was defined as carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity exceeding 10 m/sec, measured at follow-up after 27 years. TAKEAWAY: At baseline, fewer women than men had elevated BP (62% vs 67%) and hypertension (9% vs 26%; P < .001); at follow-up, men had higher average systolic BP than women (P < .01), with no difference observed in average diastolic BP. At follow-up, 17% of women vs 31% of men had increased arterial stiffness (P < .001 for both). Elevated BP (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.78) and hypertension (aOR, 4.62; P < .001 for both) at 42 years of age were associated with an increased risk for arterial stiffness after 27 years in women, but not in men. IN PRACTICE: "[The study] findings underscore the importance of managing BP in early midlife for optimal CVD [cardiovascular disease] prevention in women," the authors of the study wrote. SOURCE: This study was led by Ester Kringeland, MD, PhD, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway. It was published online on June 28, 2025, in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. LIMITATIONS: This study included a predominantly Caucasian population from a small region in Western Norway, limiting the generalisability. Data on cardiovascular risk factors in women, such as pregnancy-related complications and endometriosis, were missing. The prevalence of diabetes may have been underreported as the fasting blood glucose level was not measured at baseline. DISCLOSURES: This study received funding from Helse Vest. The authors reported having no conflicts of interest. This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Verve Therapeutics Stock Soars 76% on $1.3B Buyout Offer From Lilly
Verve Therapeutics VERV signed a definitive agreement with pharma bigwig Eli Lilly LLY. Per the terms, the pharma giant will acquire all outstanding shares of VERV for $10.50 per share in cash, aggregating to nearly $1 billion. In addition, Verve's shareholders will receive one non-tradable contingent value right (CVR) per share. This CVR entitles holders to an additional cash payment of up to $3 per share, contingent upon the first patient being dosed with Verve's lead pipeline asset, VERVE-102, for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in a late-stage study within 10 years of the deal's closing or termination of the CVR. Including the CVR, the total potential deal value reaches approximately $1.3 billion. Post this acquisition, Lilly will add Verve's pipeline of gene therapies targeting heart diseases. This includes VERVE-102, an investigational in vivo gene-editing therapy aimed at reducing cholesterol levels. Earlier in April, Verve unveiled encouraging results from an early-stage study, which showed that a single infusion of this therapy resulted in dose-dependent reductions in blood PCSK9 protein levels and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). VERVE-102 has also received Fast Track designation from the FDA, reflecting its potential to address a serious unmet need. VERV already has a partnership with LLY. Per the deal terms, Lilly has opt-in rights to co-fund development and share commercialization rights for VERVE-102. Verve is also developing another candidate, VERVE-201, targeting the ANGPTL3 protein in an early-stage study. An update on this study is expected before this year's end. A day before this announcement, the Financial Times reported that Lilly was in 'advanced talks' with Verve for a buyout. The transaction, expected to be completed in the third quarter, is subject to customary closing conditions and clearance from regulatory authorities. Verve insiders, including CEO Sekar Kathiresan and early investors, have agreed to tender their shares, representing nearly 18% of the company's outstanding stock. Following this news, shares of Verve rallied 76% in pre-market trading today. Year to date, the stock has gained 9% compared with the industry's 2% growth. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Unlike some of its peers, Sanofi SNY and Bristol Myers BMY,which are under pressure from investors to pursue deals for new drugs, Lilly's top line continues to reach new heights. The tremendous success with GLP-1 drugs, Mounjaro (for diabetes) and Zepbound (for obesity), has made LLY the largest drugmaker with a market capitalization of more than $700 billion and its share price has crossed $800 per share. The idea behind the deal is clear — Lilly intends to strategically diversify its pipeline across therapeutic areas. Recent approvals in immunology (Omvoh and Ebglyss), oncology (Jaypirca) and neuroscience (Kisunla) highlight Lilly's intent to diversify beyond obesity and diabetes. A potential deal for Verve fits this trend. Once closed, Verve Therapeutics will be Lilly's third targeted M&A deal this year. Earlier in January, it signed a $2.5 billion deal for Scorpion Therapeutics' experimental oncology drug. Last month, Lilly announced its intent to acquire SiteOne Therapeutics in a deal valued at $1 billion to strengthen its neuroscience pipeline. Such deals suggest that Lilly's M&A strategy is selective, focusing on long-term strength across various therapeutic areas. While broader macroeconomic concerns, including Trump-era tariffs and leadership shifts at the FDA, have weighed on deal-making in 2025, Big Pharma continues to pursue strategic assets in key growth areas. This month, Sanofi announced a $9.5 billion acquisition of Blueprint Medicines to strengthen its immunology pipeline and reduce reliance on the blockbuster drug Dupixent. Through this transaction, Sanofi intends to add Ayvakit — an inhibitor of KIT and PDGFRA proteins with growing commercial traction — and several early-stage pipeline assets focused on systemic mastocytosis (SM). Sanofi expects to close this deal in the third quarter of 2025. In parallel, Bristol Myers signed a co-development and commercialization agreement with BioNTech for BNT327, an investigational bispecific antibody targeting PD-L1 and VEGF. The deal gives Bristol Myers access to a promising oncology candidate across multiple tumor types, aligning with its strategy to offset revenue declines from legacy brands. These transactions highlight Big Pharma's continued interest in small biotechs with promising and innovative assets. Verve Therapeutics, Inc. price | Verve Therapeutics, Inc. Quote Verve currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Sanofi (SNY) : Free Stock Analysis Report Bristol Myers Squibb Company (BMY) : Free Stock Analysis Report Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) : Free Stock Analysis Report Verve Therapeutics, Inc. (VERV) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lilly to acquire Verve in $1B bet on gene editing for heart disease
This story was originally published on BioPharma Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily BioPharma Dive newsletter. Eli Lilly agreed to buy Verve Therapeutics for $1 billion, betting on the promise of one-and-done gene therapies to treat cardiovascular disease. The deal announced Tuesday offers Verve stockholders $10.50 a share, plus a contingent value right worth another $3 a share. The non-tradeable CVR would pay out if the company's experimental VERVE-102 treatment advances enough to dose a patient in a Phase 3 trial within 10 years of the transaction's closing. Verve CEO Sekar Kathiresan and other top stockholders have already agreed to tender shares that represent about 17.8% of Verve's outstanding stock and the gene editing company's board recommends that all investors agree to the tender offer, Lilly said. A second-step merger will follow if needed. The companies expect to complete the transaction in the third quarter. For Lilly, the acquisition offers greater control of a pipeline it's already invested in. The company inked a deal with Verve in 2023 to develop a product now known as VERVE-301 that's still in preclinical research. Later that year, Lilly bought other Verve opt-in rights from Beam Therapeutics that include the program for VERVE-102. 'The deal makes sense for Verve shareholders and makes sense given the exposure Lilly has to Verve's entire disclosed pipeline,' William Blair analyst Myles Minter wrote in a note to clients. Lilly is also stepping in at a time when Verve shares are undervalued, Minter said. Verve went public in 2021 with one of the largest initial offerings of the year in the biotech industry, raising almost $270 million by selling shares at $19 each. As an investment boom continued that year amid high hopes for gene therapies, Verve's shares soared above $70. But the company's lead product, VERVE-101, encountered safety concerns and Verve decided to scrap it in favor of a successor, VERVE-102, that used a different lipid nanoparticle for delivery of the treatment. That product has shown early promise. Even so, Verve shares closed at $6.27 yesterday, hurt by a general slump in investment in cell and gene therapy companies. 'Eli Lilly is getting a bargain here,' Minter wrote. Still, the 67% premium to the current share price is 'a win for Verve shareholders and the gene editing space more broadly, which has been under significant macro pressure in a difficult funding environment.' The CVR is likely to pay out, Minter said. The timeframe of 10 years shouldn't be an issue; dosing in a Phase 3 trial is more dependent on continued demonstration of safety in earlier-stage research, he wrote. The larger question for Lilly is whether patients and doctors will embrace genetic medicines for cardiovascular disease, when more traditional treatment options are readily available. Other companies have struggled in that situation. Verve counters that many patients drop off standard medications, putting themselves in danger of complications like a heart attack. The company's lead product is administered as an infusion, which also sets it apart from the complicated administration process that underlies high-profile gene editing treatments such as Vertex's Casgevy. Verve's medicine 'could shift the treatment paradigm for cardiovascular disease from chronic care to one-and-done treatment,' Ruth Gimeno, Lilly's group vice president for diabetes and metabolic research and development, said in the company's press release. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Daily Mail
18-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Dirty habit followed by 18 million Americans doubles risk of sudden heart disease death
People who use marijuana are putting themselves at up to twice the risk of having a heart attack, stroke or dying from heart disease. University of California researchers reviewed 24 studies involving 200million people to investigate the relationship between weed and cardiovascular disease, stroke and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) - a group of heart conditions in which there is reduced or blocked blood flow to the heart, such as a heart attack. They found there was a 29 percent higher risk of ACS, a 20 percent higher risk for stroke and double the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, which includes coronary artery disease, heart failure and irregular heartbeats. Cardiovascular disease is America's number one killer and nearly 1million people die of it every year. Because of its harmful side effects, the researchers are calling on regulators to treat marijuana like tobacco - not criminalized, but highly discouraged - and raise awareness of the risks to people who are exposed to marijuana smoke secondhand. The CDC estimates about 52 percent of Americans have ever tried marijuana at least once and a 2024 study found nearly 18 million people use it daily or near-daily, an increase from about 1 million three decades ago. The researchers wrote: 'Legalizing the drug and expanding its medical use worldwide have likely contributed to profound changes in the general perception of cannabis and to the overall rise in cannabis consumption.' However, they warned the study 'raises serious questions about the assumption that cannabis imposes little cardiovascular risk.' In the United States, marijuana is fully legal - for recreational and medicinal use - in 29 states. It is fully illegal in four states. Laws in the remaining states are mixed, meaning the drug may be permitted for medicinal use, allowed only in the form of CBD oil, be decriminalized or be a combination of these. Included in the studies, which ranged from 2016 to 2023, were people 19 to 59 years old. A noted limitation of the study was that marijuana use was self-reported on a variety of scales, meaning it was hard to measure how much marijuana use was associated with the risks. The researchers also didn't specify if the marijuana exposure was from smoking the drug or other forms of consumption. However, a similar study published in the journal JAMA Cardiology last month found people who smoked marijuana or took edibles at least three times a week had damage to their blood vessels, which are vital for delivering oxygen and nutrients from the heart to every organ and tissue. This affects the blood vessels ability to dilate, raising the risk of arterial plaque, heart attacks and strokes. The study found marijuana smokers had a 42 percent reduction in vascular function than controls, while THC edible users had a 52 percent reduction compared to those who never used cannabis. While previous studies have linked cannabis smoking to heart disease, the May 2025 study was one of the first to show heart damage from edibles containing THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis. The most recent study, published in the journal Heart, stated: 'Considering the current situation and recent trends in cannabis use, the need to specifically address these recent developments was critical.' Based on their findings, the team concluded marijuana use should be included in doctor-patient discussions when it comes to cardiovascular disease and death risk and prevention. They said: 'Cannabis needs to be incorporated into the framework for prevention of clinical cardiovascular disease. So too must cardiovascular disease prevention be incorporated into the regulation of cannabis markets. Effective product warnings and education on risks must be developed, required, and implemented. 'Cardiovascular and other health risks must be considered in the regulation of allowable product and marketing design as the evidence base grows. Today that regulation is focused on establishing the legal market with woeful neglect of minimizing health risks.' Researchers noted several limitations, however, including a bias in most of the included studies, lack of information or missing data and imprecise measures of cannabis exposure. Additionally, most of the included studies were observational and several used the same data. They added that 'how these changes affect cardiovascular risk requires clarification' and further research is needed on 'cannabis-related adverse events.'
