Alirocumab
PraluentUniProt Q8NBP7 · 3D model
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A lab-made antibody that blocks PCSK9, a protein that normally limits how much 'bad' cholesterol the liver clears — same target as evolocumab, but a separate antibody from a different company.
How it works
Normally, the liver has docking stations (LDL receptors) on its surface that grab bad cholesterol out of the blood. A protein called PCSK9 interferes with this by marking those docking stations for destruction. Alirocumab is an injectable antibody, built independently by a different company than evolocumab though it does the same job, that latches onto PCSK9 and neutralizes it, so the liver keeps more of its docking stations and pulls more LDL cholesterol out of circulation.
What it’s used for
Used to lower bad cholesterol and cut the risk of heart attack, stroke, and hospitalization for chest pain in adults at high cardiovascular risk. Also used for general high cholesterol and for inherited forms of very high cholesterol, in adults and, for the more common inherited form, children as young as 8.
- Mechanism
- PCSK9 inhibitor (mAb)
- Drug class
- Monoclonal antibody
- Therapeutic area
- Cardiovascular