Discovery Explaining the Potential Cardiovascular Benefits of a Precision Therapy Based on the Genetic Profile

MONTREAL, April 26, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - Researchers at the Montreal Heart Institute announced today that they have discovered the mechanism for the protective effects of reduced activity of the ADCY9 gene in atherosclerosis resulting from accumulation of fat in the artery walls. Indeed, a reduction of 65% of atherosclerosis occurs when the ADCY9 gene is not functional in mice, but only when another gene (CETP) is also absent. This benefit is explained by a marked reduction of inflammation in the arteries. These results have been published in the prestigious American scientific journal Circulation.

Drs Jean-Claude Tardif and Marie-Pierre Dubé from the Montreal Heart Institute had previously shown in a retrospective analysis a significant 39% reduction in the risk of cardiovascular events in patients receiving the CETP inhibitor dalcetrapib and having the AA genotype in the ADCY9 gene. This discovery has led DalCor Pharmaceuticals to launch the Dal-GenE study with 6000 patients that is presently taking place in 34 countries. This new discovery described today supports the underlying rationale for Dal-GenE and may explain the reasons for the  cardiovascular benefits occurring in patients who have the appropriate genetic profile.

«The benefits according to the ADCY9 gene profile may pave the way for the first precision cardiovascular therapy against atherosclerosis with dalcetrapib», stressed Dr Jean-Claude Tardif, Director of the Research Centre of the Montreal Heart Institute and Professor of medicine at the University of Montreal. « Given that cardiovascular diseases remain the first cause of mortality in the world and that atherosclerosis is its main source, our discovery may have an important impact by opening new pathways for research to bring to patients new therapies based on their genetic profile », continued Dr. Tardif.

« Precision cardiovascular medicine has the potential to transform healthcare, and our team shows through these discoveries its international leadership in this state-of-the-art field», stated Mélanie La Couture, Chief Executive Officer of the Montreal Heart Institute.

About the Montreal Heart Institute
Founded in 1954 by Dr. Paul David, the Montreal Heart Institute constantly aims for the highest standards of excellence in the cardiovascular field through its leadership in clinical and basic research, ultra-specialized care, professional training and prevention. It is part of the broad network of health excellence made up of Université de Montréal and its affiliated institutions.

About DalCor Pharmaceuticals
DalCor is developing precision treatments by genetically targeting patients that will derive clinical benefits. By integrating clinical and genetic insights, DalCor intends to deliver superior clinical cardiovascular outcomes. The company's development program, dalcetrapib, is intended to reduce cardiovascular events in a specific genetic subset of patients.

DalCor secured a worldwide exclusive license for dalcetrapib together with rights to the genetic marker for use with dalcetrapib and is sponsoring the dal-GenE study, which is planned to include 6,000 patients to prospectively confirm the results of the pharmacogenomic analysis in the dal-Outcomes study in a patient population with the AA genotype at the rs1967309 location in the ADCY9 gene.

DalCor Pharmaceuticals has offices in Montreal, San Mateo, Calif., Zug, Switzerland and Stockport, U.K. For more information, visit www.dalcorpharma.com

SOURCE Montreal Heart Institute Foundation