Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains one of Australia's most significant health challenges. More than
4.5 million Australians, 1 in 6 people, are living with CVD, and it accounts for around 1 in 4 deaths nationally, with someone dying from it approximately every 12 minutes. More than
590,000 Australians are living with coronary heart disease, the most common form.
One underrecognised driver of cardiovascular risk is elevated Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), an inherited type of "bad" cholesterol that increases the risk of plaque building up in the arteries. Around
1 in 5 people have elevated Lp(a) levels, which can increase the risk of heart attack or stroke by 2-4 times. Yet most are unaware because it is not detected on standard cholesterol tests. Unlike other cholesterol types, Lp(a) cannot be meaningfully reduced through diet, exercise, or existing cholesterol medications. Currently, no approved medicine specifically targets Lp(a).
This heart and cholesterol trial is investigating whether an investigational medicine given every 26 weeks can reduce the build-up of fatty plaque in the heart's arteries. The clinic team will measure Lp (a) levels using CT imaging in people with elevated Lp(a), helping researchers understand whether this approach can meaningfully reduce long-term cardiovascular risk.
Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the investigational medicine or a placebo injection. Participants will not know which they are receiving. The medicine is administered once every 26 weeks using a single-use prefilled autoinjector pen, making dosing infrequent and straightforward.
Participants will attend up to 9 study visits at our South Bank or Birtinya clinics over approximately 104 weeks. The purpose of this trial is to assess whether the investigational medicine can reduce the build-up of fatty plaque in the heart's arteries, measured by CT imaging. Throughout your time in this cholesterol trial, you will receive comprehensive medical assessments from our experienced team, and all procedures will be explained clearly.
