Lipigon Pharmaceuticals AB (Lipigon) and HitGen Inc. (HitGen) announced that they have identified novel small molecules that could be starting points for developing drugs targeting dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disease. The compounds were identified using HitGen's technology platform within the framework of the companies' collaborative project on dyslipidemia. Compared to traditional high-throughput screening, HitGen's DEL technology enables the screening of thousand-fold more compounds.

The small molecules activate the enzyme lipoprotein lipase ("LPL") which plays a critical role in breaking down fat in the blood. LPL is a well-validated target for lipid disorders where Lipigon has more than 50 years of research experience. It is believed that increasing LPL activity lowers triglyceride levels, increases HDL; "the good cholesterol" and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

The small molecule LPL activator program is intended for the development of a convenient, oral medicine. There are currently no LPL activators available to patients or in development. The identified LPL binders could be the starting point for developing a drug for dyslipidemia (lipid disorders) that remains after standard treatments with, for example, LDL cholesterol-lowering statins.

Dyslipidemia is a major contributing risk factor to cardiovascular disease which is the most common cause of death in the world.