ISIS PHARMACEUTICALS INITIATES HIGH CHOLESTEROL STUDY

Isis Pharmaceuticals has initiated Phase II development of ISIS 301012 for the lowering of high cholesterol. ISIS 301012 is a second-generation antisense drug that targets apoB-100, the protein component of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol-or the "bad" cholesterol involved in heart disease.

The initial study in the development program is designed to optimize dose and frequency of dosing of ISIS 301012 in patients with high cholesterol. The study will also allow Isis to further evaluate the safety and efficacy of ISIS 301012 in patients with high cholesterol. In the double-blinded placebo-controlled study, patients will be dosed from 50-mg to 200-mg per week for three months and will be followed for an additional six months.