Biotech veterans John Maraganore and Clive Meanwell have launched Corsera Health, a new startup with an ambitious mission to create a world without cardiovascular disease. The company is developing a once-annual RNAi drug designed to prevent cardiovascular disease by targeting two key risk factors simultaneously.
Novel RNAi Approach Targets Dual Pathways
Corsera's lead drug candidate uses RNA interference technology to target both PCSK9 and angiotensinogen (AGT). PCSK9 is a known driver of heart disease that affects LDL cholesterol levels, while angiotensinogen influences blood pressure regulation. According to Maraganore, these represent "the unambiguous winners of the things-to-control contest" for cardiovascular disease prevention.
The once-annual preventive RNAi candidate is expected to begin human testing by the end of 2025. This approach addresses the two major risk factors for cardiovascular disease: elevated blood pressure and elevated LDL cholesterol, specifically when both remain high over extended periods.
AI-Powered Risk Prediction Platform
Complementing their therapeutic development, Corsera has created an AI tool called Klotho Health, named after the Greek Fate who spins the thread of life. The platform is trained on large datasets, including the UK Biobank, and is designed to make inferences about causal relationships to predict an individual's likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease.
The company is considering multiple deployment strategies for Klotho Health. One approach involves a direct-to-consumer app where people can enter their health information and receive cardiovascular risk predictions, similar to offerings from telemedicine companies like Hims and Hers. Alternatively, the tool could be integrated into physician practices to help doctors provide better risk information to patients.
Veteran Leadership and Strategic Vision
This venture represents what Maraganore calls their "third act" together. Their previous collaborations include the Medicines Company's $2 million acquisition of bivalirudin rights in 1997 and the 2013 licensing deal for inclisiran, an RNAi drug that lowers LDL cholesterol by targeting PCSK9 production in the liver.
"This will probably be the most important thing I've ever done in my career," Maraganore stated, with Meanwell expressing similar sentiments. Maraganore brings extensive RNA therapeutics experience as the first CEO of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, while Meanwell led the Medicines Company until Novartis acquired it for $9.7 billion in 2020.
Addressing Market Challenges
The startup faces potential challenges in public acceptance, particularly given skepticism around RNA-based treatments following COVID-19 vaccine debates. However, Maraganore emphasizes key differences: "It's small interfering RNA, not messenger RNA, number 1. Number 2, it does not stimulate an immune response."
Meanwell supports the direct-to-consumer approach, noting that "People go all kinds of places for their hair restoration products, medicines that need a prescription. There's nothing saying consumer empowerment shouldn't happen when they have the information, which we believe we can provide."
Funding and Development Timeline
Corsera has raised $50 million from its founders and insider investors and is currently seeking additional funding. The company's focus on cardiovascular disease addresses a critical medical need, as cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death both in the United States and globally.
The combination of AI-powered risk prediction and preventive RNAi therapy represents a novel approach to cardiovascular disease prevention, potentially shifting treatment paradigms from reactive to proactive care.
