LPA and atherosclerosis: Elevated Lp(a) levels are considered independent risk factors for ASCVD, heart failure, and aortic valve stenosis.542–544 Although no targeted drug for reducing Lp(a) levels has been approved thus far, several candidates have shown promise in clinical trials.545 For example, pelacarsen, an Lp(a) ASO drug developed by Ionis in collaboration with Novartis AG, effectively lowers Lp(a) levels by selectively cleaving Apo(a) gene (LPA) mRNA.