Leqvio is used to lower bad cholesterol (LDL-C) in patients suffering from atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).

The liver controls lower density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in the circulation by controlling the production of LDL-C and the clearance of it via the LDL receptors.

The clearance of LDL-C from the bloodstream is disrupted by PCSK9, which reduces the number of LDL receptors available to remove LDL-C from circulation.

Leqvio is a small interfering RNA for LDL-C reduction that selectively targets the liver. After Leqvio administration, it is selectively taken up by the liver cells.

Leqvio is rapidly cleared from the bloodstream and reaches undetectable levels within 48 after administration. Leqvio is slowly released inside the cell where it loads onto the RNA induced silencing complex (RISC).

Once loaded the complex that consists of Leqvio and the body’s naturally occurring RISC successively cuts multiple copies of PCSK9 mRNA continuously, preventing its production to increase the number of LDL receptors on the surface of the liver cells, which results in greater liver acceptance of circulating LDL-C, as a result Leqvio reduces LDL-C in the bloodstream.