Biology Overview
Overview
Cholesterol in the body is stored in different types of large particle complexes that are packed up by proteins called lipoproteins. Two of the most important types of cholesterol particles are high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles (also known as good cholesterol) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles (also known as bad cholesterol). Too much LDL in the blood results in the buildup of cholesterol in the walls of arteries, resulting in cardiovascular disease. Insufficient HDL in the body is also linked to pathologies including diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease.
Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) is a protein forms a connection, or tunnel, between HDL particles and LDL particles and transports cholesterol in circulation from the good HDL particles to the bad LDL particles. Through this transportation of cholesterol, CETP can drive cholesterol imbalances that underly a range of health conditions. NewAmsterdam is developing obicetrapib, which blocks the CETP tunnel from facilitating this cholesterol transfer, thereby blocking the formation of bad LDL cholesterol, reducing LDL levels and increasing HDL levels.
Explore the Role CETP Plays in Disease
Blocking lipid transfer has multiple actions that are beneficial across multiple therapeutic areas:
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Circulation
Blocks transportation of cholesteryl esters from HDL to LDL, lowering LDL and increasing HDL
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Liver
Upregulates LDL catabolism in the liver by causing an increase in LDL receptors, resulting in a drop in LDL levels in circulation
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Pancreas
Protects vital pancreatic B-cells by increasing small functional HDLs, supporting islet cell survival and increasing insulin production in the pancreas
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Brain
Promotes cholesterol clearance from the brain by increasing small functional HDLs that can cross the blood-brain barrier to clear out excess cholesterol, a precedent step to amyloid beta and tau accumulation
