Gemcabene, a peroxisome proliferation-activated receptor (PPARα) agonist, is a novel, once daily, oral therapy, for patients who are unable to achieve normal levels of LDL C or triglycerides with currently approved therapies, primarily statin therapy. Gemcabene’s mechanism of action is designed to enhance the clearance of very low-density lipoproteins (VLDLs) in the plasma and inhibit the production of fatty acids and cholesterol in the liver.
Gemcabene was being evaluated in a Phase 2 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to assess its efficacy safety and tolerability in patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia. In January 2016, the gemcabene Phase 2 clinical study was placed on partial clinical hold as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requested 2-year rat and mouse carcinogenicity studies to be completed and submitted. The study currently remains on partial clinical hold for the treatment of dyslipidemia and the Company is currently assessing additional therapeutic indications for gemcabene that may strengthen our pipeline of assets, this includes COVID-19 in combination with ANA001.