FDA approves broader use of Repatha

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has broadened the approved use of Amgen’s (Nasdaq: AMGN) Repatha (evolocumab) to include adults at increased risk for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) due to uncontrolled low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), commonly known as bad cholesterol.

This update removes a prior requirement for a patient to have been diagnosed with cardiovascular (CV) disease.

Murdo Gordon, executive vice president of global commercial operations at Amgen, said: “Far too many adults at risk of CV disease are not achieving their LDL-C goals, despite it being one of the most modifiable risk factors for a heart attack or stroke.