Dr Akbar Moussa and Professor Mohammad Zubaid, President of Kuwait Cardiac Society and Gulf Heart Association.

KUWAIT: Under the patronage of Kuwait Cardiac Society, Sanofi today launched a breakthrough therapy for the treatment of uncontrolled low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, in adult patients at high risk for developing cardiovascular diseases. The drug's trade name is Praluent (scientific name of Alirocumab). Sanofi's most recent innovation addresses the need in a wide array of patients suffering from Hypercholesterolemia. The PCSK9 inhibitor (Praluent) is a fully human monoclonal antibody (antibodies identical to the immune cell). Following its approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) & The European Medicines Agency (EMA), Praluent was launched in USA & EU in 2016. Kuwait is among the first countries to see the introduction of this treatment in the rest of the world. The introduction is part of Sanofi's efforts to improve lives of patients worldwide and provide them with innovative solutions in disease areas of public health concern.

"In alignment with the ongoing efforts to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular diseases in Kuwait, the introduction of the new therapy will especially help patients who have not been able to lower their LDL (bad) cholesterol to optimal levels." said Professor Mohammad Zubaid, President of Kuwait Cardiac Society and Gulf Heart Association. "It will provide more and better options for doctors and will enable physicians to tailor the treatment based on individual patient needs. Together with Sanofi, we are pleased to make this available to our patients in the country," added Professor Zubaid, professor of Medicine at Kuwait University and head of the division of cardiology at Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital in Kuwait.

Treatment along with diet

Despite treatment with currently-available medications, control of hyperlipidemia (abnormally elevated levels of any or all lipids) is far from optimal. A majority of patients (82.6%) remain at high risk of cardiovascular events and almost two-thirds of the patients on treatment in the region continue to have inadequately controlled lipid levels 2 Praluent works differently from the well-known cholesterol lowering class of drugs known as statins. It works by blocking a protein (PCSK9) that may contribute to high LDL cholesterol. It is indicated for treatment along with diet and the highest tolerated dose of a statin in adults with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) (an inherited condition that causes high levels of LDL cholesterol in adults and can affect youngsters as well) or atherosclerotic heart problems such as heart attacks or strokes, who require additional lowering of LDL cholesterol.

Professor Zubaid said "The presence of persistently high levels of cholesterol in the blood, over the span of several years, can lead to dangerous accumulation of cholesterol and fat in the walls of the arteries of the heart and other organs like the brain and limbs. These deposits can reduce blood flow through the arteries and cause complications such as heart attack and stroke. With the rising incidence of cardiovascular diseases in the region leading to fatal outcomes, innovative and effective treatment for better control of lipid levels is needed".

"Sanofi has a strong cardiovascular heritage, and we are committed to bringing advanced therapies that aim to deliver better health outcomes for patients. With the introduction of Praluent, we look forward to addressing previously unmet patient needs and reduce the risks associated with cardiovascular diseases in Kuwait," said Jean-Paul Scheuer, Country Chair and General Manager, Rx for Sanofi Gulf.

Globally, a large number of patients are faced with the challenge of achieving LDL cholesterol levels recommended by healthcare experts. The approval of Praluent was based on data from the pivotal Phase 3 ODYSSEY program, which showed consistent, positive results compared to placebo and included current standard of care therapy (statins).