FDA Approves Evolocumab (Repatha) for Certain Patients with Hypercholesterolemia

Following a June 2015 recommendation by the U.S Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee, the FDA has approved evolocumab approved for use in addition to diet and maximally-tolerated statin therapy in adult patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH), homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH), or clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, such as heart attacks or strokes, who require additional lowering of LDL cholesterol. Evolocumab is produced by Amgen, and known by the brand name Repatha.