医药生物行业周报心血管疾病高发，Lp（a）或成为降脂治疗新靶点

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Positive" investment rating for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry [10]. Core Insights - The report highlights the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and identifies Lp(a) as a potential new target for lipid-lowering therapy, with a growing market for related medications [11][14]. - The market for cardiovascular medications in China is projected to reach CNY 27.3 billion in 2023, with a significant portion attributed to statins, which are expected to account for 68% of sales in the first half of 2024 [16]. - The report emphasizes the rapid growth of PCSK9 inhibitors, which have become a key focus in the cardiovascular drug market, with sales reaching CNY 1.525 billion, representing 10.4% of the total cardiovascular medication market [16]. Summary by Sections Section 1: Cardiovascular Diseases and Lp(a) - Cardiovascular diseases are highly prevalent, with an estimated 330 million affected individuals in China, and blood lipid abnormalities are a significant risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) [11][14]. - The prevalence of blood lipid abnormalities among adults aged 18 and older was reported at 35.6% in 2018, indicating a continuous upward trend since 2015 [14]. Section 1.1: Diversity of Lipid-Lowering Drugs - Various classes of lipid-lowering drugs are available, including statins, PCSK9 inhibitors, and new agents targeting Lp(a) [3][15]. - The report notes that the sales of PCSK9 inhibitors have seen rapid growth, making them a prominent option in the market [16]. Section 1.2: ASCVD Risk and Lp(a) Levels - Elevated Lp(a) levels are associated with increased ASCVD risk, with a significant portion of the population exceeding the threshold of 50 mg/dL [17][33]. - The report suggests that Lp(a) could become a new choice for lipid-lowering therapy, as it is recognized as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases [45]. Section 2: Competitive Landscape for Lp(a) Therapies - Numerous companies are actively developing Lp(a) inhibitors, with several candidates currently in clinical trials, including Pelacarsen, Olpasiran, and Lepodisiran [37][40]. - The report highlights the lack of approved drugs specifically targeting Lp(a), indicating a significant opportunity for innovation in this area [40]. Section 3: Market Performance - The pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector experienced a decline of 2.13% in the third week of December, underperforming compared to the CSI 300 index [8][69]. - Among sub-sectors, traditional Chinese medicine showed the smallest decline at 0.55%, while the raw materials sector faced the largest drop at 3.67% [61]. Section 4: Recommended Stocks - The report recommends stocks in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector, particularly those involved in Lp(a) research and development, such as Jingxin Pharmaceutical [55].