Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a disease characterized by thickening and stiffening of the left heart ventricle that results in increased contractility and impaired relaxation.
Individuals with HCM experience symptoms including fatigue, dyspnea, chest pain, and fainting. Severe complications of HCM can lead to arrhythmias, stroke, heart failure and sudden cardiac death.
Literature suggests over 1.5 million individuals in China are living with HCM. Despite being the most common genetic cardiovascular disease, there are currently no medical treatments that directly target the underlying disease pathophysiology or progression.
Aficamten (previously called CK-274) is a novel investigational small molecule cardiac myosin inhibitor that targets the underlying hypercontractility in HCM. In individuals with HCM, an excessive number of actin-myosin-cross bridges are formed in the sarcomere. Aficamten prevents a portion of active cross-bridges from forming with the aim to decrease contractility, reduce the left ventricular outflow gradient (LVOTG), and improve the symptoms of heart failure.
Our partner, Cytokinetics, reported positive results from REDWOOD-HCM, a Phase 2 study for aficamten in oHCM, and is preparing to start SEQUOIA-HCM, a global Phase 3 study for aficamten in oHCM in 2022. Following the successful completion of the China Phase 1 clinical study, JIXING will conduct the China cohort of SEQUOIA-HCM under its collaboration and license agreement with Cytokinetics starting in 2022.
For further information about our partner, Cytokinetics, please visit cytokinetics.com
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