Menarini and NewAmsterdam Pharma receive EU approval for new cholesterol drugs

The European Union has approved two new oral drugs based on the molecule obicetrapib for the treatment of cholesterol. Developed through a partnership between the Italian pharmaceutical group Menarini and the Netherlands-based NewAmsterdam Pharma, this marks the first regulatory approval for this molecule globally.

Under the commercial agreement, Menarini holds exclusive rights in Europe, managing regulatory interactions and marketing. NewAmsterdam Pharma is entitled to progressive royalties on net sales and potential milestone payments totaling 833 million euros based on clinical and commercial achievements.

In a separate clinical context regarding cholesterol management, a study involving over 2,600 patients in Italy highlighted gender disparities in treatment efficacy. While women demonstrated higher adherence to therapies, they were less likely to reach recommended LDL cholesterol targets compared to men. The study noted that women often present with higher baseline LDL-C levels and greater intolerance to statins, resulting in a lower percentage of patients meeting international guideline targets.