Clinical Trial to Assess the Early Effects of RVX000222 on the Changes of Lipid and Coronary Plaque in Patients With Recent Acute Coronary Syndrome

One-third of the US population, almost 80 million adults, have cardiovascular disease and
mortality associated with heart disease still remains as a leading cause of death around the
world. The major risk factors for cardiovascular disease associated with atherosclerosis is
dyslipidemia, characterized by high levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL) and/or low
levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL). The widespread use of statins in patients at risk
for cardiovascular disease has led to lower LDL levels but has had little effect on HDL
levels. HDL has a well established role in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease
protection. HDL mediates the removal of cholesterol from the atherosclerotic plaques for
elimination from the body. The major component of HDL consists of apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA
I). Recent intervention studies with synthetic HDL particles and recombinant ApoA-I have
shown that HDL has the capacity to reverse coronary atherosclerosis. Increasing ApoA-I is
likely to have a favorable effect on atherosclerotic plaque stability and size and on
cardiovascular diseases. RVX000222 is a member of a novel class of small molecules that are
candidates for the treatment of dyslipidemia by increasing plasma levels of HDL through
increased ApoA-I transcription.