CETP Inhibitors Market: Competitive Landscape, Pipeline, and Market Analysis 2024

Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), also called plasma lipid transfer protein, is a plasma protein that facilitates the transport of cholesteryl esters and triglycerides between the lipoproteins. It collects triglycerides from very-low-density (VLDL) or Chylomicrons and exchanges them for cholesteryl esters from high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and vice versa. CETP (cholesteryl ester transfer protein) inhibitors are a class of drugs that target and inhibit the activity of CETP, a protein involved in lipid metabolism. CETP inhibitors' primary mechanism of action is to increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels while reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels by blocking the action of CETP, which is responsible for facilitating the transfer of cholesteryl esters from HDL particles to LDL and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) particles. This transfer leads to a reduction in the levels of HDL-C and an increase in the levels of LDL-C and VLDL-C. By inhibiting CETP, these drugs prevent the transfer of cholesteryl esters from HDL particles to LDL and VLDL particles. As a result, the levels of HDL-C increase, leading to the promotion of reverse cholesterol transport, a process by which excess cholesterol is removed from peripheral tissues and transported back to the liver for metabolism and excretion. This mechanism helps reduce the buildup of cholesterol in the arteries and can potentially reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease.

Additionally, CETP inhibitors may also decrease LDL-C levels, which further contributes to their potential cardiovascular benefits. CETP Inhibitors are used to treat cardiovascular disorders, metabolic diseases, dyslipidemias, genetic diseases, acute coronary syndrome, digestive system diseases, and liver diseases, to name a few. Increased prevalence of heart diseases and hypertension due to changing lifestyles are the key drivers for the CETP Inhibitors market. For instance, according to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention 2020, an estimated 5.5% of adults reported that they had been diagnosed with heart disease in the US. Moreover, the development of novel molecules by many market players is coming up to overcome challenges in therapy. For instance, Eli Lilly's Evacetrapib (LY2484595) for cardiovascular disorders is under the various stages of clinical studies.

Key Market Developments:

• In July 2022, DalCor Pharmaceuticals completed a phase III, double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled study to evaluate the effects of Dalcetrapib on cardiovascular (CV) risk in a genetically defined population with a recent acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Drugs under the Pipeline for CETP Inhibitors:

• Evacetrapib (LY2484595)
• Dalcetrapib (JTT-705)
• Obicetrapib (TA-8995)
• Anacetrapib (MK-0859)
• Rocacetrapib (CKD-519)
• Icosabutate (NST-4016)
• K-312
• JTT-302
• TAP 311
• ATH03
• CKD-508
• DRL-17822

Clinical Activity and Developments of CETP Inhibitors:

Till July 2023, more than 14 companies have approximately 12 molecules targetting many cardiovascular diseases. For these molecules, more than 5 clinical trials are being conducted and the majority are in phase-2, phase-3 clinical trials by the players across the globe. For instance,

• In June 2023, NewAmsterdam Pharma completed a phase 2a, proof-of-concept, open-label study to evaluate the pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and safety of Obicetrapib in patients with early Alzheimer’s disease (Hetero/Homozygote APOE4 Carriers).