Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Broadens Pipeline With ALN-AGT, A Subcutaneously Administered Rnai Therapeutic Targeting Angiotensinogen (AGT) For The Treatment Of Hypertensive Disorders Of Pregnancy (HDP), Including Preeclampsia

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALNY), a leading RNAi therapeutics company, announced today that it is broadening its pipeline with ALN-AGT, a subcutaneously administered RNAi therapeutic targeting angiotensinogen (AGT) for the treatment of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), including preeclampsia, one of the most common complications of pregnancy. Preeclampsia leads to increased risk of maternal mortality, perinatal fetal mortality, fetal pre-maturity, or even the need for late-term abortion to save the mother’s life. AGT, which is primarily expressed in the liver, is the protein precursor for angiotensin II, a peptide hormone that promotes vasoconstriction as part of the renin-angiotensin system. Gain-of-function human mutations or variants of AGT are associated with increased risk for hypertension and preeclampsia in pregnant women. Small molecule inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin system, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are known to cross the placental barrier and are associated with fetal toxicity. Accordingly, ACE inhibitors and ARBs are contraindicated for the management of hypertension during pregnancy.

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