For adults aged 18 and older with elevated Lp(a) and existing cardiovascular disease or risk factors for heart disease. Conducted across 5 clinics in South-East Queensland: Sippy Downs, Maroochydore, Morayfield, South Bank and Meadowbrook.
Helping researchers understand whether elevated Lp(a) can be treated to protect heart health
You may be familiar with cholesterol, but lipoprotein(a), known as Lp(a), is less widely discussed. Lp(a) is a type of inherited "bad" cholesterol that, when elevated, increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other problems caused by narrowed or blocked blood vessels. Around 1 in 5 people have elevated Lp(a) levels, yet most are unaware of it because it is not routinely tested in standard cholesterol checks.
Unlike other types of cholesterol, Lp(a) levels are not significantly affected by diet, exercise, or lifestyle changes, which can be frustrating for people who are actively trying to manage their heart health. For some people, elevated Lp(a) is only identified after a heart-related event. For others, it may never cause obvious symptoms but still carry an increased risk over time. Currently, no approved medicine specifically targets Lp(a).
By joining the cardiovascular trial, you are helping our medical teams evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of a potential new treatment pathway, contributing vital data to advanced cardiovascular research studies in QLD.
You don't need to know your Lp(a) levels to apply, our clinic can test this for you. There is a 50% chance of receiving the investigational once-a-daily tablet rather than a placebo, and neither you nor the study team will know which treatment you are taking.
Eligibility
Do you qualify for a cardiovascular trial?
You may be eligible if you:
Aged 18 or older
Have existing ASCVD, such as a heart attack, stroke, bypass surgery (CABG) or stent in the past 10 years, OR have risk factors for ASCVD such as elevated coronary calcium score, narrowing of blood vessels, diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, or chronic kidney disease
Have elevated lipoprotein(a) or are willing to be tested at our clinic
Not pregnant or planning pregnancy during the study period
You may NOT be eligible if you:
Have had a major heart event, stroke or major surgery in the past 90 days
Are expected to need major heart or blood vessel surgery in the near future
Have uncontrolled high blood pressure, moderate to severe heart failure or severe kidney disease
Have an active serious infection or another medical condition that is not stable or well managed
What's involved
Commitment and procedures
Visit type
day visits
total visits
~21
duration
4-5 years
treatment
Tablet (daily)
procedures
Review of medical history
ECG (electrocardiogram)
Blood pressure check
Physical examination
Blood collection and test
Urine collection and test
treatment design
If you decide to take part, you will take one study tablet by mouth each day, with or without food, for the duration of the study. Participants are assigned by chance, like flipping a coin, to receive either the investigational medicine (muvalaplin) or a placebo tablet that looks identical but contains no active medicine. This means there is a 50% chance of receiving the placebo. Neither you nor the study team will know which tablet you are taking; this helps ensure the results are fair and unbiased.
Participants will attend 20 scheduled visits over the 4–5 year study period, including a screening visit, 18 treatment visits, and a final visit. An optional prescreening visit may also be offered, bringing the total to 21. Visits are more frequent during the first two years and become less frequent over time, with most scheduled every 3 to 6 months. Some visits may be completed via Telehealth when appropriate. All procedures will be explained clearly, and participants can ask questions at any time.
More information
Have questions? We're here to help.
Contact our recruitment team directly. They're happy to answer any questions before you apply to the cardiovascular trial. Please do not send personal medical information by email.
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