Idera presents data on TLR7, TLR9 antagonist candidate for hyperlipidemia at American Heart Association

Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: IDRA) announced today that it is presenting preclinical data from a study evaluating the mechanism of action of one of its Toll-like receptor (TLR) 7 and TLR9 antagonist candidates in a model of hyperlipidemia. The presentation, entitled "Novel TLR7 and TLR9 Dual Antagonist Lowers Cholesterol in Hyperlipidemic Mice Through IL-10-Mediated Activation of LXR and Increased Fecal Neutral Sterol Loss" (abstract #7068), is being made in the "Inflammation and Adhesion" session at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2010 Meeting in Chicago, IL.

“The TLR7 and TLR9 antagonist candidate evaluated in the study acted by inhibiting inflammatory responses, and the data presented today provide further support for potential therapeutic applications of the antagonist in hyperlipidemia.”

In the study presented today, a TLR7 and TLR9 antagonist candidate was evaluated in a mouse model of hyperlipidemia. Mice on a high-fat diet treated with the antagonist candidate resulted in dose-dependent reduction of cardiovascular disease markers including serum total cholesterol (TC), LDL-cholesterol, leptin and liver triglyceride levels. Gene expression analysis of selected genes in the liver and large intestine demonstrated increased levels of IL-10, Liver X Receptor (LXR), and ABC transporter G1. In addition, treatment with the antagonist candidate increased fecal cholesterol excretion. These data provide evidence that the lowering of TC and other cardiovascular risk factors by treatment with the TLR antagonist candidate in the study resulted from the induction of anti-inflammatory cytokines and genes involved in cholesterol transport and from increased fecal cholesterol excretion.

"There is growing evidence from published research that hyperlipidemia has many characteristics of a chronic inflammatory disease," said Tim Sullivan, Ph.D., Vice President of Development Programs and Alliance Management of Idera Pharmaceuticals. "The TLR7 and TLR9 antagonist candidate evaluated in the study acted by inhibiting inflammatory responses, and the data presented today provide further support for potential therapeutic applications of the antagonist in hyperlipidemia."